some surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "some surprise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a certain level of unexpectedness or astonishment regarding a situation or event. Example: "There was some surprise among the team when they learned they had won the award."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We looked with some surprise.

The New York Times - Magazine

"There is always some surprise.

The New Yorker

To some surprise, he did.

The Economist

Look for some surprise announcements.

University of California, Berkeley

The circuit has provided some surprise results.

The New York Times - Sports

Lowey looked at me with some surprise.

The New Yorker

To some surprise, they did.

The Guardian

There may be some surprise guests.

The New York Times

I read the play with some surprise.

The Guardian

Mr. Maghraby's acquittal has been met with some surprise.

The New York Times

There was some surprise among diplomats about his mission.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "some surprise" to subtly indicate that an event or piece of information was not entirely expected but not dramatically shocking. For a stronger effect, consider alternatives like "considerable surprise" or "utter astonishment".

Common error

Avoid using "some surprise" when the situation warrants a stronger term like "shock" or "disbelief". "Some surprise" is best suited for scenarios where the unexpected element is mild.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some surprise" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates a degree of unexpectedness or mild astonishment. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various contexts, exemplified by the multiple real-world examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "some surprise" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote a mild level of unexpectedness or astonishment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile enough for various registers, from formal news reports to casual conversations. While alternatives exist to convey stronger or more nuanced meanings, "some surprise" remains a reliable choice for expressing a moderate sense of the unexpected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight astonishment

Indicates a mild form of amazement.

a bit of astonishment

Subtly emphasizes the feeling of being amazed.

a degree of amazement

Highlights the extent or level of wonder.

mild wonder

Focuses on the gentler aspect of surprise and curiosity.

a touch of wonder

Suggests a slight sense of marvel or awe.

a hint of disbelief

Implies a mild struggle to accept something as true.

a shade of awe

Highlights the presence of respectful fear or wonder.

minor shock

Emphasizes the unexpected and potentially unsettling nature of the event.

passing amazement

Conveys a fleeting feeling of surprise.

fleeting wonder

Implies that the feeling of surprise is momentary.

FAQs

How can I use "some surprise" in a sentence?

You can use "some surprise" to express a mild feeling of unexpectedness. For example: "The announcement was met with "some surprise"." or "I noted with "some surprise" that he had already finished the task".

What's the difference between "some surprise" and "utter astonishment"?

"Some surprise" indicates a mild level of unexpectedness, while "utter astonishment" expresses a much stronger feeling of shock and amazement. Use "some surprise" when something is mildly unexpected, and "utter astonishment" when something is extremely shocking or amazing.

What are some alternatives to "some surprise"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a bit of astonishment", "slight amazement", or "mild wonder" instead of "some surprise".

Is it correct to say "a surprise" instead of "some surprise"?

While "a surprise" refers to a specific unexpected event or occurrence, "some surprise" refers to a feeling or reaction of mild unexpectedness. Using "a surprise" is more suitable when you are describing an event, whereas "some surprise" is more appropriate when describing a feeling.