surprising look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surprising look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an expression on someone's face that indicates shock, disbelief, or unexpectedness. Example: "When she opened the door to find her surprise party, her face wore a surprising look of astonishment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In a medium like television, a partnership with advertisers is nothing surprising — look at how often plastic bags and containers from Glad are featured on "Top Chef".

The New York Times

Academy Award-nominated director Robert Stone's provocative new documentary Pandora's Promise, airing November 7th on CNN, takes a surprising look at this most controversial of energy technologies.

Huffington Post

While reviewing a concert in the UK, Adenike Adenitire of MTV News praised the group's surprising look inspired by Mad Max noting that they proved "that you don't need baggy jeans and a bandanna to be street".

Wikipedia

This week, "The Other Hundred" series peeks into North Korea with a surprising look at the daily life of people "who are not the robots they are often portrayed as".

Huffington Post

Taylor Swift turned heads in a surprising look as she performed in Times Square for New Year's Eve, while Jessica Chastain proved that plum is the color for 2013.

Huffington Post

This isn't the most surprising look the fashion world has seen from him, but he still looked pretty sick and probably got laid as a result of his outfit.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Chioggia is not only the sweetest, but certainly the most surprising looking.

The New York Times - Food

One of his favorite corners to capture the most perplexed, surprising looks on people was 57th and Fifth, near Tiffany.

The New York Times - Style

That's not surprising, looking at the show; one of the largest ever displayed at MoMA, the 265 works seem to bounce around the gallery: bizarre, bright, baffling.

Independent

Despite the unprecedented nature of the suit — Benchmark has been sued in the past by a former portfolio company but has never sued one of them, as far as we know — it isn't surprising, looking back at the last decade or so.

TechCrunch

We literally laugh out loud every time we visit Totally Looks Like, a website that matches photos of celebrities with their surprising look-alikes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase in descriptive writing, consider pairing it with vivid adjectives and adverbs to further enhance the impact of the surprise element. For example: 'a remarkably surprising look' or 'a subtly surprising look'.

Common error

Avoid using "surprising look" to describe commonplace or predictable occurrences. The phrase is most effective when highlighting genuine unexpectedness or astonishment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprising look" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "surprising" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "look". It often describes an unexpected or remarkable appearance. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surprising look" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an unexpected or astonishing appearance. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts and carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for various writing styles. While not extremely common, understanding its appropriate usage and potential alternatives, such as "unexpected appearance" or "startling visage", can enhance your descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected appearance

Focuses on the visual aspect being unforeseen rather than the emotional reaction.

startling visage

Emphasizes a more dramatic and shocking visual impact.

unforeseen aspect

Highlights the element of being previously unknown or anticipated.

novel perspective

Shifts the focus to a fresh and innovative viewpoint.

unconventional style

Highlights the departure from typical or accepted norms in appearance.

remarkable view

Emphasizes the noteworthiness and impressiveness of the visual scene.

astonishing glimpse

Implies a brief but incredibly surprising or impressive visual experience.

unanticipated sight

Stresses the surprise element, focusing on seeing something not expected.

unusual presentation

Focuses on the unique and uncommon way something is displayed.

peculiar outlook

Indicates a strange or odd way of seeing or presenting something.

FAQs

What does "surprising look" mean?

A "surprising look" refers to an unexpected or astonishing appearance, style, or perspective, often deviating from what is considered typical or conventional. It emphasizes the element of surprise or novelty in the visual or conceptual presentation.

What are some alternatives to "surprising look"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpected appearance", "startling visage", or "unforeseen aspect" depending on the context.

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

Here's an example: "Taylor Swift turned heads in a "surprising look" as she performed in Times Square for New Year's Eve." The phrase describes an unexpected or striking appearance.

Is "surprising look" formal or informal?

The phrase "surprising look" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the specific situation.