surprising request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surprising request" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a request that is unexpected or not anticipated. Example: "I received a surprising request from my boss to lead the new project, which I didn't see coming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

That commission led to a surprising request.

The New York Times

That surprising request came soon after the Broadway trip.

The New York Times

The Bangladeshis were prepared to comply, but had a simple, if slightly surprising, request.

The Guardian

Perhaps the most surprising request came from Johannes S. Beals, who sent this Twitter message: "Can U Ask my girlfriend to marry me?

The New York Times

Besides the cease-fire, the other issue that cast some doubt over the talks before they even started was the FARC's surprising request to have an imprisoned comrade, Ricardo Palmera, take part.

The New York Times

The minister was eager to return home, but then his commanding officer made a surprising request: Would he serve as chief chaplain to an incarcerated collection of accused Nazi war criminals?

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Five years ago, after I had been active on Facebook for a couple years, I received an unusual surprising friend request and private message from an old friend who I lost touch with after we both graduated.

Huffington Post

And he never had an informant demand anything as unusual as the surprising payment requested by the Mexican officer played by Benicio Del Toro in the film.

The New York Times

It would be of concern if a court did not know that this was not permissible and surprising if this request went into a court order.

The Guardian - Opinion

Correction: June 20 , 2004 Sunday An article last Sunday about a report that President Bush had asked a Vatican official to press American bishops to speak out more about political issues gave an outdated affiliation for Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete, who said he did not find such a request surprising, and misstated the location of his seminary.

The New York Times

Given that low bar, it is not surprising that such requests are routinely granted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "surprising request", ensure the context clearly establishes who made the request and what made it surprising. For example, specify "the CEO's surprising request for a company-wide talent show".

Common error

Avoid using "surprising request" for mildly unusual requests. Reserve it for situations where the request genuinely deviates from expectations. Overusing it dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprising request" functions as a noun phrase, where "surprising" modifies the noun "request". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English, as shown by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surprising request" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote an unexpected demand or appeal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly featured in News & Media and Science contexts, as well as Formal and Business settings, it holds a neutral register applicable across diverse situations. Alternatives like "unexpected demand" or "astonishing appeal" can be employed to convey similar meanings. When employing "surprising request", ensure the level of surprise aligns with the context to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected demand

Replaces "request" with "demand", implying a more forceful ask that was not anticipated.

astonishing appeal

Uses "astonishing" instead of "surprising" and "appeal" for "request", conveying a sense of wonder and a formal request.

unforeseen application

Substitutes "surprising" with "unforeseen" and "request" with "application", suggesting an unanticipated formal submission.

remarkable inquiry

Replaces "surprising" with "remarkable" and "request" with "inquiry", implying a noteworthy question or investigation.

startling proposition

Uses "startling" instead of "surprising" and "proposition" for "request", highlighting the unexpectedness of the offer or suggestion.

curious requisition

Substitutes "surprising" with "curious" and "request" with "requisition", suggesting an intriguing formal demand.

unconventional solicitation

Replaces "surprising" with "unconventional" and "request" with "solicitation", implying a non-traditional asking or seeking.

peculiar entreaty

Uses "peculiar" instead of "surprising" and "entreaty" for "request", conveying a sense of strangeness and a heartfelt plea.

out-of-the-blue plea

Replaces "surprising request" with "out-of-the-blue plea", emphasizing the sudden and unexpected nature of the request and framing it as a plea.

unanticipated urging

Substitutes "surprising" with "unanticipated" and "request" with "urging", implying a request that came as a surprise and has an element of persuasion.

FAQs

What does "surprising request" mean?

A "surprising request" is a demand or appeal that is unexpected or causes astonishment due to its nature or timing. It deviates from what is normally anticipated in a given situation.

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

You can use "surprising request" to describe an unexpected demand, like: "The company received a "surprising request" from the community for increased environmental protections."

What can I say instead of "surprising request"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpected demand", "astonishing appeal", or "unforeseen application" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between a "surprising request" and an "unusual request"?

While both phrases imply something out of the ordinary, "surprising request" emphasizes the element of unexpectedness, whereas "unusual request" focuses on the peculiarity or rarity of the request itself. The phrases can often be used interchangeably, but "surprising request" highlights the reaction to the request more so than "unusual request".