startling event

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "startling event" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an occurrence that is surprising or shocking in nature. Example: "The sudden announcement of the company's closure was a startling event that left employees in disbelief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Police have little doubt that they were racist attacks.Two days after the Brick Lane bombing, an even more startling event took place.

The Economist

It was probably the most startling event of the suffragette campaign, which had already seen many activists, including Davison herself, imprisoned and force-fed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In a third — the most startling event in the piece — she stands astride his shoulders as he kneels and stretches one arm upward and repeatedly slaps her breastbone, hard.

The New York Times - Arts

But the most startling event had come three days earlier, on a Saturday afternoon when the court was nearly deserted and the justices, ominously dividing 5 to 4, suddenly stopped the Florida recount and agreed to hear the final Bush appeal.

The New York Times

A startling event -- an accident that leaves a man in critical condition, the discovery of an inheritance worth $100,000, a man's realization that his ex-girlfriend has made a voodoo doll of his daughter -- stands at the center of many of these stories, serving as both a metaphor for the precariousness of life and as a turning point in the characters' apprehension of themselves.

The New York Times - Books

Our "idols," those things in our lives undeserving of worship, must be released from our hands, so that we may hold them open to the startling event that is God's Kingdom Come.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mr. Rosen said the book was the first one published on the events and was "not meant to be a first draft of history, but individual voices reacting to startling events".

The New York Times

The startling events of the past 24 hours were a major victory for Senator John McCain, who made overhauling campaign finance law a centerpiece of his failed presidential bid this year, and his bipartisan allies in Congress.

The New York Times

We met just before the startling events of recent days – the sudden resignation of Labour leader Johann Lamont, the subsequent resignation of her deputy, Anas Sarwar, and the emergence of the pugnacious Jim Murphy as Lamont's likely successor.

The Guardian

But you can hardly blame him for finally ruminating after the age of 71 on the familiar yet still startling events 30 years ago when his history and the nation's fatefully collided.

The New York Times - Books

The depot will also house one of the more startling events, a centenary performance of Igor Stravinsky's chilling score for The Rite of Spring, with a 100-piece orchestra flown in from Russia.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "startling event", consider the context and choose a synonym if the level of surprise or shock needs to be adjusted. For instance, "surprising occurrence" might be more appropriate for a mildly unexpected situation, while "shocking incident" fits a more severe one.

Common error

Avoid using "startling event" repeatedly in formal reports or academic papers. Vary your language by using synonyms like "significant development" or "unexpected turn of events" to maintain a professional tone and prevent redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "startling event" functions as a noun phrase, where "startling" is an adjective modifying the noun "event". It describes an occurrence that is unexpected and causes surprise or shock. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "startling event" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes an occurrence causing surprise or shock. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it finds usage across diverse contexts, notably in news and scientific domains. When choosing to employ "startling event", be mindful of the level of surprise you want to convey and consider alternative phrases like "surprising occurrence" or "shocking incident" to refine your meaning. Though versatile, avoid overusing it in formal writing to maintain a varied and professional style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprising occurrence

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the event, minimizing the sense of shock.

shocking incident

Emphasizes the negative and disturbing aspects of the event.

unexpected happening

Highlights the lack of anticipation surrounding the event.

sudden development

Implies a rapid and often unforeseen change or progression.

astonishing episode

Emphasizes the remarkable and perhaps unbelievable nature of the event.

remarkable occurrence

Highlights the unusual and noteworthy aspect of the event.

unforeseen circumstance

Shifts focus to the accidental and unplanned nature of the event.

unpredicted incident

Emphasizes the inability to foresee or anticipate the event.

unusual happening

Highlights the divergence from the norm or expected.

extraordinary phenomenon

Suggests the event is beyond the ordinary and possibly scientifically significant.

FAQs

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

You can use "startling event" to describe something that is surprising or shocking. For example, "The sudden resignation of the CEO was a "startling event" that shook the company."

What are some alternatives to "startling event"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, alternatives to "startling event" include "surprising occurrence", "shocking incident", or "unexpected happening".

Is "startling event" formal or informal?

"Startling event" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider using synonyms like "significant development".

What distinguishes "startling event" from "surprising event"?

"Startling event" suggests a higher degree of surprise or shock compared to "surprising event". A startling event is likely to be more sudden and unexpected, causing a greater sense of astonishment or alarm.