shockingly enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"shockingly enough" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express surprise or disbelief at something unexpected. Here is an example: "Shockingly enough, she still managed to pass the exam despite not studying at all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

And the villains are, shockingly enough, Islamic radical fundamentalists".

The New York Times - Books

Finally, he concludes, "And shockingly enough, apathy hasn't worked up to now".

The New York Times

Many will simply regret the lack of a catalog, obviously caused by the lack of funds, shockingly enough in such an important show.

The New York Times - Arts

Then I went with my friend Cynthia to 'Blue Crush,' I think, and then we snuck into 'Mr. Deeds.' Shockingly enough, it wasn't even that good".

The New York Times

The only male celebrities in the top 10 were the CNN host Piers Morgan, who shockingly enough took the No. 3 spot, and the actor and heartthrob Brad Pitt, who tied for No. 10 with the actresses Emma Stone and Rachel McAdams.

The New York Times

Their evidence, shockingly enough, was deemed worthy of censorship and could not be shown to the sensitive souls of the inquiry, even though the images of women they had gathered came from mainstream papers that any child can buy in any newsagent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

If that weren't shockingly stupid enough, over a billion people continue to believe the convenient lies that Mohammed told all that time ago -- to this very day.

Huffington Post

The songs moved people, showed them a new style of commitment that had been increasingly absent in rock, and sure enough, in shockingly short order, the group's popularity found them living under the white heat of scrutiny.

The Guardian - Music

Shockingly, the old birthday excuse wasn't enough to get her off the hook, so she tried a different tactic.

Vice

Schaap was close enough to Floyd Patterson that he watched the shockingly placid heavyweight doze off in the dressing room an hour before his 1961 championship fight.

The New York Times - Books

With mould climbing up all the walls, festering and squalid toilets and a shockingly unappealing array of food in the canteen, this gallery is enough to make any student grateful for their 1970s concrete blocks.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shockingly enough" to introduce a statement that contradicts common assumptions or expectations. It adds emphasis to the surprising nature of the information.

Common error

Avoid using "shockingly enough" too frequently, as it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Use it sparingly for maximum effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shockingly enough" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies the entire sentence, expressing the speaker's surprise or disbelief regarding the information presented. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Shockingly enough" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to signal surprise or disbelief, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and commonly used, primarily in news and media contexts. While its usage is widespread, it's best employed judiciously to maintain its impact. Alternative phrases like "surprisingly enough" offer similar expressive power. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively leverage "shockingly enough" to enhance their narratives and engage their audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Surprisingly enough

Emphasizes the element of surprise, focusing on the unexpected nature of the situation.

Unbelievably

Highlights the incredible or hard-to-believe aspect of the information.

Incredibly

Focuses on the high degree of unexpectedness or astonishment.

Hard to believe

Directly expresses the difficulty in accepting the truth of the statement.

Remarkably

Stresses the notable or extraordinary nature of the event.

Astonishingly

Emphasizes the profound amazement caused by the situation.

Strangely enough

Highlights the odd or peculiar nature of the circumstance.

Oddly enough

Similar to 'strangely enough', but with a slightly lighter tone.

Funnily enough

Suggests an amusing or ironic twist in the situation.

Ironically

Emphasizes the contradictory or unexpected outcome of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "shockingly enough" in a sentence?

"Shockingly enough" is used to introduce a surprising or unexpected fact. For example, "Shockingly enough, he passed the test without studying".

What are some alternatives to "shockingly enough"?

You can use alternatives like "surprisingly enough", "unbelievably", or "incredibly" to express similar surprise.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "shockingly enough"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Shockingly enough" functions as an adverbial phrase and can be used at the beginning of a sentence to set the tone for a surprising statement.

What's the difference between "surprisingly" and "shockingly enough"?

"Surprisingly" indicates a general sense of unexpectedness, while "shockingly enough" implies a higher degree of disbelief or astonishment. "Shockingly enough" suggests something is not just unexpected, but also almost unbelievable.