somewhat astonishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat astonishing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express mild surprise or disbelief about something that is impressive or unexpected. Example: "The results of the experiment were somewhat astonishing, revealing patterns we had not anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

He did not do this, which is somewhat astonishing.

F1000Research

This was somewhat astonishing to me, because I thought I did.

The New Yorker

"The cash burn at this company of late has been somewhat astonishing," Ms. Champine said.

The New York Times

Dr. Campbell's work raises a somewhat astonishing possibility: that much of the physiology of extinct animals may one day be recoverable from the DNA extracted from their remains.

The New York Times - Science

The Ivorian's introduction coincided with Mourinho ordering a switch to direct tactics and, aided by a somewhat astonishing six minutes of stoppage time, Chelsea launched an attacking blitz.

The Guardian - Sport

Thus far, Dr. Dobelle has enjoyed the support of faculty members, which is somewhat astonishing considering how embittered they were last spring.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

As with other Herreweghe concerts that are burned into my brain — the St. Matthew Passion, in 2004 and 2012, and the Mass in B Minor, in 2009, all at Alice Tully Hall — the performance had an astonishing, somewhat inexplicable force.

The New Yorker

The post-Vaughanists aspire to the sombrero and poncho of Stevie Ray Vaughan, and in most cases the guitar playing is astonishing, the vocals somewhat less so and the songwriting decidedly iffy.

The Guardian - Music

The ability for the algorithm to generate astonishing landscapes is somewhat reminiscent of the wonders you can find in Minecraft, but No Man's Sky is much more beautiful, smoothing the edges from mountains and rocky arches and sprawling cave networks alike.

The Guardian - Tech

The tone is ludic and somewhat crude, but contains some astonishing lines towards the end, as he lists some further events which occur on that date: "A retired / bank employee presents on television / tapes with the recorded voices / of the dead.

The Guardian - Books

He added, somewhat sheepishly, an admission that sounded astonishing coming from someone playing professional basketball.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat astonishing" when you want to express a moderate level of surprise or amazement without overstating the case. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts where understatement is preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat astonishing" too frequently in casual conversation or informal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more natural alternatives like "a bit surprising" or "kind of amazing" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat astonishing" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that is surprising or impressive to some extent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat astonishing" is a grammatically sound and relatively common adjectival phrase used to express a moderate level of surprise or amazement. It is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though it may sound slightly formal in casual conversation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Consider alternatives like "rather surprising" or "a bit startling" depending on the desired nuance. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unexpected

Retains a similar structure but replaces "astonishing" with "unexpected" for a more direct expression of surprise.

rather surprising

Replaces "astonishing" with "surprising", indicating a similar level of unexpectedness, but maintains a formal tone.

rather extraordinary

Highlights that something goes beyond the ordinary, while keeping a formal tone.

mildly surprising

Emphasizes a lower degree of astonishment, suggesting a gentler sense of surprise.

a little surprising

Reduces the intensity of the astonishment, suggesting a minor level of surprise.

slightly amazing

Substitutes "astonishing" with "amazing", conveying a positive sense of wonder and slight unexpectedness.

fairly remarkable

Emphasizes the noteworthiness of something, rather than just the surprise it evokes.

quite unexpected

Focuses on the lack of anticipation, highlighting that the event was unforeseen.

a bit startling

Suggests a slightly more jarring or abrupt sense of surprise.

moderately impressive

Highlights the positive impact of the event, focusing on its ability to impress.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat astonishing" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat astonishing" to describe something that is mildly surprising or impressive. For example, "The results of the experiment were "somewhat astonishing", given the limited resources."

What are some alternatives to "somewhat astonishing"?

Alternatives to "somewhat astonishing" include phrases like "rather surprising", "mildly surprising", or "fairly remarkable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "somewhat astonishing" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "somewhat astonishing" is suitable for formal writing as it expresses a moderate level of surprise or amazement in a controlled and appropriate manner. It avoids overly enthusiastic or casual language.

What's the difference between "somewhat astonishing" and "completely astonishing"?

"Somewhat astonishing" indicates a moderate level of surprise, while "completely astonishing" suggests a much stronger and more absolute sense of amazement. The choice depends on the degree of surprise you want to express.