startling revelation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "startling revelation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a surprising or shocking piece of information that has been uncovered or disclosed. Example: "The scientist's startling revelation about the effects of climate change left the audience in stunned silence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But he made one startling revelation.

The New York Times

Again, it's not a startling revelation, by any means.

The New York Times

Today brings another startling revelation, tucked away in an interview in the National Journal.

The Economist

His most startling revelation about the brain's capacity for reorganizing itself was yet to come.

The New Yorker

"But absent some truly startling revelation, I don't believe it will change his overall marketability".

The New York Times

(Was she about to deliver some startling revelation about Orson Welles's sexuality? The answer was yes).

The New York Times

It fleshes out this visionary with the startling revelation of his early work.

The Guardian - Arts

The onset of autumn brought a startling revelation: an accidental uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction was theoretically possible in the plant.

The New Yorker

Easy and effortless is how they both described it, and that was a startling revelation.

The New York Times

It was a startling revelation — like Gary Sheffield saying Joe Torre is his all-time favorite manager.

The New York Times

Carcetti (Aidan Gillen, right) begins damage control after a startling revelation from Pearlman (Deirdre Lovejoy and Daniels Lance Reddickck).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "startling revelation" to add dramatic weight when presenting newly discovered or revealed information, particularly when the information significantly alters understanding or expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "startling revelation" for minor or unimportant disclosures; reserve it for situations where the information truly has a significant or surprising impact. Otherwise, the phrase loses its intended effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "startling revelation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows it often introduces information perceived as unexpected, surprising, or even shocking, changing the understanding of a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "startling revelation" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase, predominantly used in news and media contexts to underscore the unexpected and impactful nature of newly revealed information. Ludwig AI confirms its use to emphasize surprise and significance. While its register is generally neutral, leaning toward formal, it should be reserved for disclosures that genuinely warrant such emphasis to avoid diluting its effect. Alternatives like "surprising disclosure" or "shocking disclosure" can be used to tailor the nuance. Avoid overusing the phrase in mundane situations to maintain its intended dramatic weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprising disclosure

Focuses on the act of making something known that was previously hidden, highlighting the element of surprise.

unexpected disclosure

Emphasizes the unforeseen nature of the information being revealed.

shocking disclosure

Highlights the scandalous or disturbing nature of the revealed information.

bombshell announcement

Suggests a sudden and impactful piece of news that has significant consequences.

astonishing disclosure

Stresses the incredibility and wonder associated with the information being revealed.

eye-opening discovery

Highlights the enlightening aspect of the finding, suggesting it changes one's perspective.

unforeseen disclosure

Focuses specifically on the fact that the revelation was not anticipated.

unexpected discovery

Similar to 'unforeseen disclosure', but places more emphasis on the finding itself rather than the act of revealing it.

revelatory information

Highlights the transformative nature of the information, suggesting it provides new insight.

stunning announcement

Emphasizes the overwhelming and potentially shocking nature of the information shared.

FAQs

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

You can use "startling revelation" to introduce a piece of information that is unexpected and significant, such as "The detective's "startling revelation" changed the course of the investigation".

What are some alternatives to "startling revelation"?

Alternatives include "surprising disclosure", "unexpected discovery", or "shocking disclosure", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "startling revelation" and "surprising fact"?

"Startling revelation" implies a greater degree of surprise and significance than "surprising fact". A "surprising fact" might be interesting but not necessarily earth-shattering, whereas a "startling revelation" suggests a significant impact.

When is it appropriate to use "startling revelation" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize the unexpected and impactful nature of a piece of information. Avoid using it for minor or insignificant details, as it can sound hyperbolic.