surprising outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surprising outcome" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a result that is unexpected or not in line with what was anticipated. For example: "The experiment yielded a surprising outcome that challenged previous theories." Alternative expressions include "unexpected result" and "astonishing conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it could also have a surprising outcome.

The New Yorker

Andray Abrahamian weighs in on the surprising outcome of the Trump-Kim Hanoi summit.

Stanford University

In 2003, a mid-term evaluation of MTO revealed a controversial and surprising outcome.

Harvard University

The latter is not a surprising outcome, but hardly arm's length negotiations.

Harvard University

Speaking on Radio Nottingham, Clarke said: "I think it's a disappointing, very surprising, outcome.

The Guardian

To see what that means, consider the surprising outcome of another great motorcar race.

The Economist

The surprising outcome was that mice with two male genomes had large bodies and small brains.

The New York Times - Health

Washington has all the elements that could make for an unpredictable and surprising outcome.

The New York Times

A surprising outcome given that such organisations are connected and accountable to their communities, culturally safe, and know what's needed.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's a surprising outcome, given the strong product in 2015, which saw admissions surge from 2014 levels.

The Guardian - Film

But perhaps the most surprising outcome of New Horizons' journey was not the deeper peek into Pluto's oddities.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "surprising outcome", ensure the context clearly establishes why the outcome was unexpected. Provide sufficient background information to highlight the contrast between what was anticipated and what actually occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "surprising outcome" simply as a placeholder for any result. Ensure the outcome genuinely defies expectations based on the available information. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing less engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprising outcome" functions as a noun phrase, with "surprising" acting as an adjective modifying the noun "outcome". It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing an unexpected or unanticipated result, as Ludwig AI confirms with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "surprising outcome" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe an unexpected result. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals that it functions as a noun phrase and serves to highlight deviations from anticipated scenarios. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "unexpected result" and "unforeseen consequence" exist, the key is to provide sufficient context to emphasize the element of surprise. With its widespread use and clear meaning, "surprising outcome" remains a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unforeseen result

Highlights that the result could not be predicted beforehand.

unexpected consequence

Focuses on the result being a consequence that was not anticipated.

unanticipated effect

Stresses the lack of anticipation of the effect.

unexpected turn of events

Emphasizes a change in the course of events that was not foreseen.

remarkable conclusion

Indicates a conclusion that is particularly noteworthy or impressive.

astonishing development

Emphasizes the level of amazement caused by the development.

unlooked-for development

Highlights the development was not expected or hoped for.

startling revelation

Highlights the shocking or surprising nature of the revealed information.

unpredicted event

Focuses on the fact that the event was not predicted.

amazing twist

Indicates a sudden and unexpected change that is impressive or unbelievable.

FAQs

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

You can use "surprising outcome" to describe an unexpected result or consequence. For example: "The experiment yielded a "surprising outcome" that challenged previous theories."

What are some alternatives to "surprising outcome"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpected consequence", "unforeseen result", or "astonishing development" depending on the specific context.

Is "surprising outcome" formal or informal?

"Surprising outcome" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "surprising outcome" and "unexpected result"?

While both phrases denote something unpredicted, "surprising outcome" often carries a slightly stronger connotation of defying expectations, whereas "unexpected result" simply indicates a lack of prediction. They are highly interchangeable, but consider the subtle nuance when choosing between them.