surprisingly common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surprisingly common" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is more frequent or prevalent than one might expect. For example: "Despite its unusual appearance, the plant is surprisingly common in this region." Alternative expressions include "unexpectedly frequent" and "astonishingly prevalent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mass stabbings in China are like mass shootings in the United States: surprisingly common.

Vice

A surprisingly common error.

The New York Times

Another surprisingly common slip.

The New York Times

A surprisingly common lapse.

The New York Times

A surprisingly common slip.

The New York Times

This redundancy is surprisingly common.

The New York Times

Such incidents are surprisingly common.

The New York Times

It is a surprisingly common mistake.

The New York Times

For example, celebratory gunfire is surprisingly common.

The Economist

Bladder or bowel incontinence is surprisingly common.

Harvard University

"This is a surprisingly common one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "surprisingly common", provide specific examples or data to support your claim. This strengthens your argument and enhances credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "surprisingly common" as a filler phrase without providing specific examples or explanations. Without context, it loses its impact and can weaken your writing. Always back up the statement with supporting information to highlight why it's surprising.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprisingly common" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a characteristic of being more prevalent than anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "surprisingly common" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote that something occurs more frequently than anticipated. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Academia. Related phrases like "unexpectedly prevalent" or "more common than one thinks" offer similar meanings, though with slight shifts in emphasis. When employing "surprisingly common", ensure to provide supporting evidence to enhance credibility and avoid overusing it as a filler. The phrase serves to challenge preconceptions and spark interest in the topic at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpectedly prevalent

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the prevalence.

surprisingly widespread

Emphasizes the broad distribution rather than frequency.

more common than one thinks

A more conversational way to express the idea.

unusually frequent

Highlights the high frequency as being out of the ordinary.

astonishingly typical

Emphasizes the typical nature of something that is also astonishing.

remarkably ordinary

Focuses on how normal something is, despite being remarkable.

surprisingly mainstream

Indicates something has become accepted or part of the norm unexpectedly.

more usual than expected

Directly contrasts the expected level of usualness with reality.

deceptively commonplace

Suggests something appears ordinary but has surprising aspects.

surprisingly typical

Focuses on the typical nature of something that is also surprising.

FAQs

How can I use "surprisingly common" in a sentence?

You can use "surprisingly common" to introduce a fact or situation that is more prevalent than people might expect. For example, "Misinformation is "surprisingly common" on social media, despite efforts to combat it."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "surprisingly common"?

Alternatives include "unexpectedly prevalent", "surprisingly widespread", or "more common than one thinks". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "surprisingly common"?

Yes, "surprisingly common" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase. It effectively communicates that something is more frequent or widespread than expected.

What's the difference between "surprisingly common" and "unexpectedly frequent"?

While similar, "surprisingly common" emphasizes that something is more widespread than expected, while "unexpectedly frequent" highlights the high occurrence rate. Both phrases can often be used interchangeably, but consider the specific nuance you want to convey.