surprising quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surprising quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an amount or number that is unexpected or astonishing in some context. Example: "The study revealed a surprising quantity of participants who reported experiencing similar symptoms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Here you can find Japanese scrolls, medieval French books of hours, Chinese porcelain, Roman mosaics, Scandinavian ceramics, Italian glassware and a surprising quantity of humble-looking folk art and Americana.

The New York Times - Arts

The canon of Chaucer's works began to accumulate delightful but apocryphal trifles such as "The Flower and the Leaf" and "The Assembly of Ladies" (both c. 1475), the former, like a surprising quantity of 15th-century verse of this type, purportedly written by a woman.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even on the ground, we all pass a surprising quantity of gas every day.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Activity directly connected with the soil predominated; but there were also many establishments, usually small, engaged in manufacturing, and such products as textiles, pottery, tiles, and papyrus were turned out in surprising quantities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though he works in a fair degree of suspense -- as well as surprising quantities of gore -- the plot is repeatedly interrupted by rambles through local history and mores that sometimes feel luxuriantly digressive and sometimes merely wearying, as if Malone simply cannot bring himself to shut off the narrative faucet.

The New York Times - Books

They're still a long way from powering the antimatter drive of Captain Kirk's Enterprise, but researchers are generating surprising quantities of antihydrogen.

Science Magazine

Other studies have shown progressive aging of Fe monosulfides to Fe disulfides over time [83], so it is not surprising that larger quantities of Fe disulfides would be present deeper in the sediment.

Geochemical Transactions

It is hence not surprising that the quantities estimated by the two methods are not the same, despite being closely related.

Breast Cancer Research

In addition to the non-linear, fluorescence pattern alluded to above, it is as well surprising that a lesser quantity of YOYO-1 might fluoresce more brightly than a greater quantity in the presence of a constant amount of DNA.

Plosone

Furthermore, as vasculature is believed to be rich in MSCs, it is not surprising that a large quantity of AdMSCs can be isolated from a small amount of adipose tissue, which is highly vascularized [ 30, 31].

BioMed Research International

Dealers want artists who can produce surprising art, in large quantities.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "surprising quantity", ensure the context clearly establishes why the quantity is unexpected or noteworthy. This adds impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "surprising quantity" simply to add emphasis without providing specific details about what makes the quantity surprising. Provide context or comparison to enhance the phrase's meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprising quantity" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. Ludwig AI confirms that it describes an amount or number that is unexpected or astonishing. It typically serves to emphasize the unexpected nature of a particular amount or number.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surprising quantity" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes an amount that is unexpected or noteworthy. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is to emphasize the unexpected nature of a specific amount, making it suitable for various contexts ranging from news and media to encyclopedias and scientific publications. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's best used when the context clearly establishes why the quantity is indeed surprising, as overusing it without proper context can diminish its impact. Alternatives such as "unexpected amount" or "astonishing number" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected amount

Replaces "quantity" with "amount", emphasizing the unexpected nature of the size or extent.

astonishing number

Substitutes "surprising" with "astonishing" and "quantity" with "number", highlighting the amazement caused by the amount.

remarkable volume

Uses "remarkable" instead of "surprising" and "volume" instead of "quantity", focusing on the impressiveness of the amount.

unforeseen extent

Replaces "surprising" with "unforeseen" and "quantity" with "extent", emphasizing that the degree or scope was not anticipated.

notable proportion

Substitutes "surprising" with "notable" and "quantity" with "proportion", indicating a significant or worthy-of-attention ratio.

unanticipated measure

Replaces "surprising" with "unanticipated" and "quantity" with "measure", highlighting the unexpected magnitude.

unexpected magnitude

Uses "unexpected" instead of "surprising" and "magnitude" instead of "quantity", emphasizing the greatness of the size.

considerable sum

Replaces "surprising" with an implied sense of unexpectedness through "considerable" and uses "sum" instead of "quantity", typically used for money or abstract resources.

significant quantum

Substitutes "quantity" with "quantum", which implies a discrete amount that is also significant. It adds a bit more formal tone.

amazing figure

Replaces "surprising" with "amazing" and "quantity" with "figure", this alternative underlines the astonishment caused by the numerical data.

FAQs

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

You can use "surprising quantity" to describe an amount that is unexpected or remarkable. For example: "The study revealed a "surprising quantity" of participants who reported experiencing similar symptoms".

What phrases are similar to "surprising quantity"?

Similar phrases include "unexpected amount", "astonishing number", or "remarkable volume". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "surprising quantity"?

While grammatically correct, "surprising quantity" should be used when there's a genuine element of unexpectedness. Avoid using it as a generic intensifier without proper context.

Which is more appropriate, "surprising quantity" or "large quantity"?

Use "surprising quantity" when you want to emphasize the unexpected nature of the amount. Use "large quantity" simply to indicate a significant amount, without necessarily implying surprise.