startling achievement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "startling achievement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an accomplishment that is surprising or impressive in nature. Example: "The scientist's startling achievement in renewable energy technology has garnered international attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Since then, he has reportedly written eight scientific papers – a startling achievement by any standards.

The Guardian

In this match Moeen has scored 190 runs, a startling achievement, and he has been dismissed playing two of the most horrendous shots imaginable.

The Guardian - Sport

Its startling achievement is that, unlike many otherwise talented writers at the moment, the writer has faced out some essential thing about his subject and presented it unsanitised.

The Guardian - Opinion

As debuts go it was a startling achievement, one from which the team, even as winners of last year's American Le Mans Series – of which this race also constitutes the first round – will take huge pleasure.

The Guardian - Sport

Noé's most startling achievement in Enter the Void is his vision of Tokyo: he reimagines it as a branching, crystalline network of neon laid out starkly against the night sky.

The Guardian - Film

Their early live sets at New York's renowned rock club CBGBs lasted 20 minutes, their eponymous debut album managed 14 tracks in under half an hour, a startling achievement in 1976.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The Forth Bridge, aeroplanes and Mozart's 40th Symphony are pretty startling achievements.

The Guardian - Music

The early atonal scores — the Second Quartet, "Pierrot Lunaire," "Erwartung," the Five Pieces for Orchestra, the various short pieces for piano — remain his most startling achievements.

The New Yorker

I can remember the startling achievements of Dawn Fraser being belittled in print on the grounds that she was a natural athlete.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That would be one of the most startling achievements for an Islamist party in the Arab world since 1992, when the military in Algeria deprived a religious party there of an almost certain electoral victory, igniting a civil war.

The New York Times

There's no questioning the startling achievements of One Direction: indoctrinating fans from Lochaber to Lisbon, shifting albums by the millions, selling out live shows around the world, and racking up YouTube views in the billions.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "startling achievement" to emphasize the unexpected and impressive nature of a success. It's effective when highlighting accomplishments that defy expectations or overcome significant obstacles.

Common error

Avoid using "startling achievement" to describe ordinary accomplishments. This phrase is best reserved for truly remarkable feats, as overuse can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "startling achievement" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "startling" modifies the noun "achievement". This emphasizes the unexpected and surprising nature of the accomplishment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "startling achievement" is a grammatically sound and uncommon phrase used to describe an unexpectedly impressive accomplishment. Ludwig AI confirms its usage is correct. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to emphasize the surprising nature of a success. For alternatives, consider phrases like "astonishing accomplishment" or "remarkable feat", ensuring the context warrants the emphasis on surprise. Use this phrase judiciously to maintain its impact and avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astonishing accomplishment

Substitutes 'startling' with 'astonishing' and 'achievement' with 'accomplishment', highlighting the unexpected nature of the success.

remarkable feat

Replaces 'achievement' with 'feat' and 'startling' with 'remarkable', emphasizing the skill involved.

surprising success

Replaces 'achievement' with 'success' and 'startling' with 'surprising', focusing on the positive outcome that was unexpected.

unexpected breakthrough

Swaps 'startling' with 'unexpected' and 'achievement' with 'breakthrough', indicating a sudden and significant advancement.

unforeseen triumph

Changes 'startling' to 'unforeseen' and 'achievement' to 'triumph', stressing the unexpected and victorious aspect.

extraordinary success

Replaces 'startling' with 'extraordinary' and 'achievement' with 'success', stressing the exceptional and positive outcome.

amazing breakthrough

Substitutes 'startling' with 'amazing', highlighting the unexpected nature of the advancement.

impressive exploit

Replaces 'achievement' with 'exploit' and 'startling' with 'impressive', emphasizing the daring and skillful nature of the act.

significant feat

Changes 'startling' to 'significant' and 'achievement' to 'feat', emphasizing the importance and difficulty of the accomplishment.

notable accomplishment

Substitutes 'startling' with 'notable', focusing on the worthiness of being recognized.

FAQs

What does "startling achievement" mean?

A "startling achievement" refers to an accomplishment that is surprisingly impressive or unexpected, often exceeding typical expectations.

How can I use "startling achievement" in a sentence?

You can use "startling achievement" to highlight a surprising and positive outcome. For example, "The team's "remarkable feat" of completing the project ahead of schedule was a "startling achievement".

What are some alternatives to "startling achievement"?

Alternatives include "astonishing accomplishment", "remarkable feat", or "surprising success". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "startling achievement" and "amazing achievement"?

While both describe impressive accomplishments, "startling achievement" emphasizes the unexpected nature of the success, whereas "amazing achievement" simply highlights the extraordinary quality of the accomplishment.