surprising statements

USAGE SUMMARY

"surprising statements" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you want to describe something that was said in a surprising way. For example, "The politician made several surprising statements during his speech that the audience couldn't believe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

One of the most surprising statements my father made, during his long life as a newspaper editor, philanthropist and human rights campaigner, was contained in a private letter to Myra Hindley, the infamous "Moors murderer".

The Guardian

One of the more surprising statements of support for Mr Hollande came from Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front, though her solidarity was qualified.

BBC

Suzuki shows a humble, dry humour and instances of blurting out surprising statements.

Wikipedia

While the influence of newspaper endorsements has declined along with readership, surprising statements still have an impact.

Huffington Post

The renowned physicist Stephen Hawking made some surprising statements during a speech last week at England's Oxford University.

Huffington Post

But, he pointed out, amid the bellicose rhetoric from Washington, Trump has also made surprising statements suggesting he's not completely against dialogue with North Korea.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It is a surprising statement to read in retrospect.

The New York Times

Indeed, in October 1955, a French magazine published a surprising statement by a German critic.

The Guardian

Once, this would have been a surprising statement, particularly to Brent Scowcroft, who might be called a Republican fatalist.

The New Yorker

For a 24-year-old, it's a surprising statement, but King has packed a lot into her seven-year professional career.

The New York Times

It was a surprising statement, considering that Mr. Gutiérrez has been making sherry wine all his life in El Puerto de Santa María, one of the three points on the Sherry Triangle.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "surprising statements", ensure the context clearly establishes why the statements are considered surprising to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "surprising statements" as a generic descriptor. Instead, provide specific details about what makes the statements surprising or use a more descriptive alternative like "unexpected remarks" or "startling declarations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprising statements" functions primarily as a descriptor, modifying the noun 'statements' to indicate their unexpected or astonishing nature. This is confirmed by Ludwig, indicating it is appropriate for describing something unexpected.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surprising statements" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, albeit not extremely frequent. According to Ludwig, it effectively describes remarks that are unexpected or astonishing. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it serves to highlight the noteworthy nature of particular statements. For alternative expressions, consider "unexpected remarks" or "astounding pronouncements". When employing "surprising statements", always ensure the context sufficiently clarifies why the statements are deemed surprising.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected remarks

Focuses on the lack of anticipation rather than the level of astonishment.

astounding pronouncements

Emphasizes the shock and disbelief caused by the statements.

startling declarations

Highlights the sudden and potentially alarming nature of the statements.

amazing comments

Replaces 'surprising' with a more general term of wonder or awe.

unforeseen announcements

Centers on the aspect of not being predicted or anticipated.

shocking disclosures

Highlights the potential for the statements to reveal something scandalous or disturbing.

unexpected claims

Focuses on the assertions made, emphasizing their unexpected nature.

notable remarks

Shifts the focus to the significance and memorability of the statements.

remarkable assertions

Highlights the exceptional and attention-worthy nature of the claims.

curious pronouncements

Indicates that the statements are intriguing or odd.

FAQs

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

You can use "surprising statements" to describe remarks that evoke a sense of wonder, disbelief, or shock. For example: "The CEO made several "surprising statements" during the earnings call that investors found unsettling."

What are some alternatives to "surprising statements"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you could use alternatives such as "unexpected remarks", "astounding pronouncements", or "startling declarations".

Is "surprising statements" formal or informal?

"Surprising statements" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and subject matter.

What makes a statement "surprising"?

A statement is "surprising" when it contradicts expectations, reveals unexpected information, or presents a perspective that is unconventional or novel. It deviates from what is considered normal or predictable.