surprising enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surprising enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is sufficiently surprising to warrant attention or consideration. Example: "The results of the experiment were surprising enough to prompt further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The jingoistic language was surprising enough.

The New York Times

The first comparison is surprising enough — work is a glove?

The New York Times - Books

But it somehow does not seem surprising enough.

The New York Times

"It's surprising enough to hear it from a songwriter.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's surprising enough to find fish here," Mr. Quadrozzi said.

The New York Times

However, its drama isn't strong or surprising enough to open up closed minds.

The New York Times

It's surprising enough that he should be interested in normality, but now he's sounding positively cuddly.

The Guardian

It was surprising enough when voters rewarded a thriller, "The French Connection," in 1971.

The New York Times

It is surprising enough that Homo erectus managed to reach Flores.

The New York Times - Science

That is surprising enough given that he is a journalist, for who, after all, trusts that breed?

The Economist

As if that were not surprising enough, Santana completed a stellar series by the Mets' supposedly erratic rotation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "surprising enough", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared against the expected norm. For instance, "The data was surprising enough to warrant further investigation" provides a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "surprising enough" excessively in academic or formal writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced alternatives like "remarkably surprising" or "unexpected to a significant degree" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprising enough" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express the degree to which something is unexpected. As Ludwig AI suggests, this indicates that an event or situation warrants attention due to its unexpectedness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "surprising enough" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that something is sufficiently unexpected to warrant attention. Ludwig AI confirms its broad usability. While predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Alternatives like "sufficiently surprising" or "remarkably surprising" might be preferable in more formal writing. When incorporating "surprising enough", ensure the sentence structure clearly communicates the reason for the surprise. Avoid overuse in formal writing for more precise alternatives. It is used to express reaction to an unexpected event that causes a change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently surprising

Emphasizes that the level of surprise is adequate or meets a certain requirement.

remarkably surprising

Highlights the noteworthiness or exceptional nature of the surprise.

unexpected to a degree

Indicates that the event was unforeseen to some extent.

somewhat astonishing

Suggests a moderate level of astonishment, implying a lesser degree of surprise.

quite startling

Focuses on the abruptness or suddenness of the surprising event.

noticeably surprising

Emphasizes that the surprise is easily observed or detected.

fairly astonishing

Similar to 'somewhat astonishing', indicating a considerable level of amazement.

rather unexpected

Expresses that something was more unexpected than anticipated.

moderately surprising

Indicates a medium level of surprise, neither extremely shocking nor entirely predictable.

pretty startling

Indicates a considerable degree of alarm or shock.

FAQs

How can I use "surprising enough" in a sentence?

Use "surprising enough" to indicate that something is sufficiently unexpected or astonishing to warrant attention. For example, "The discovery was "surprising enough" to change our understanding of the universe".

What are some alternatives to "surprising enough"?

You can use alternatives like "sufficiently surprising", "remarkably surprising", or "unexpected to a degree" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance in the level or impact of the surprise.

Is "surprising enough" formal or informal?

While generally acceptable, "surprising enough" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal tone. In highly formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "sufficiently surprising" or "remarkably surprising".

What makes something "surprising enough"?

Something is "surprising enough" when it deviates significantly from what is expected or considered normal, meriting attention or further consideration due to its unexpected nature.