rather surprisingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather surprisingly" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate something unexpected or surprising, often in a mild or understated way. Example: "The results of the experiment were rather surprisingly positive, considering the initial doubts we had." The phrase can also be used in a more lighthearted or humorous manner, as in: "My boss, rather surprisingly, gave me the day off when I asked for it." It can also be used to express a sense of disbelief or disbelief, as in: "Rather surprisingly, no one noticed the typo in the presentation until after it was already presented to the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rather surprisingly, the answer is yes.

The New York Times - Arts

Rather surprisingly, Everton are the team you're after.

The Guardian - Sport

"Rather surprisingly, your live coverage gets 0/10".

The Guardian - Sport

Rather surprisingly, it carries sweetly descriptive illustrations by Christine Christoforou.

The Guardian - Books

Rather surprisingly, the use of data compression is pervasive in computational biology.

Computer Science Review

"Rather surprisingly, your live coverage gets 0/10". Quite right, too, Guy.

The Guardian - Sport

The son, rather surprisingly, had no interest in poetry at all.

The Guardian - Books

In the replay the bidding began and ended with three clubs, rather surprisingly.

The New York Times

And over at Slate's XX Factor, EJ Graff – rather surprisingly – agrees.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact, rather surprisingly, some people think that things may now actually start looking up.

The Guardian

"We're finding, rather surprisingly, that they would rather a front page of 100 links".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather surprisingly" to gently introduce information that contrasts with what might be commonly assumed or expected. This softens the impact of the surprising element, making it more palatable for the reader.

Common error

While useful, relying too heavily on "rather surprisingly" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary by using synonyms like "somewhat unexpectedly" or "quite unexpectedly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather surprisingly" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating the manner in which something occurs. As Ludwig AI points out, it conveys a sense of mild or understated surprise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather surprisingly" is a frequently used adverbial phrase that effectively introduces an element of mild surprise or unexpectedness into a statement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and commonly used, often adding a subtle nuance to the information presented. While appropriate for various contexts, it appears most commonly in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias sources. Alternatives like "somewhat unexpectedly" or "quite unexpectedly" can offer variety in writing, but it's recommended to avoid overuse. "Rather surprisingly" is a valuable tool for subtly signaling deviations from expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite unexpectedly

Highlights the lack of anticipation even more, adding to the degree of surprise.

somewhat unexpectedly

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event, similar to "rather surprisingly" but with a slightly stronger focus on the lack of anticipation.

unexpectedly enough

Slightly informal and focuses on the fact that the event was unexpected, possibly implying that others might not find it surprising.

to everyone's surprise

Emphasizes the general surprise felt by a group of people, shifting the focus from personal surprise to a collective experience.

contrary to expectations

More formal and directly opposes what was anticipated or predicted.

in an unexpected turn of events

Highlights the unexpected direction of the developments, focusing on the changing circumstances.

it may seem odd, but

Introduces a sense of bewilderment, setting the stage for an unexpected and potentially strange observation.

it's odd to find that

Highlights an incongruity, pointing to something unexpected based on a conflicting perception or understanding.

against all odds

Emphasizes the improbability of the event, focusing on the challenges or difficulties that made it unlikely.

who would have thought

An informal expression highlighting the surprising nature of the event, often used rhetorically.

FAQs

How can I use "rather surprisingly" in a sentence?

You can use "rather surprisingly" to introduce a fact or observation that is unexpected or mildly surprising. For example, "Rather surprisingly, the experiment yielded positive results."

What are some alternatives to "rather surprisingly"?

Alternatives include "somewhat unexpectedly", "quite unexpectedly", or "unexpectedly enough". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "very surprisingly" instead of "rather surprisingly"?

While "very surprisingly" is grammatically correct, "rather surprisingly" often conveys a more subtle or understated sense of surprise. "Very surprisingly" can sound more emphatic.

What's the difference between "surprisingly" and "rather surprisingly"?

"Rather surprisingly" adds a degree of understatement or mildness to the surprise. It suggests that the situation is not overwhelmingly shocking, but still deviates from what was expected. It is less emphatic than simply stating "surprisingly".