surprisingly intriguing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surprisingly intriguing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is unexpectedly interesting or captivating. Example: "The documentary was surprisingly intriguing, revealing aspects of history I had never considered before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is a surprisingly intriguing and moving exhibition.

The New York Times - Arts

This close observation is surprisingly intriguing, bringing out shapes, textures and patterns of things routinely taken for granted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I direct her to a website where you can find links to all sorts of genres of erotica including, and surprisingly most intriguing for Hattie, supernatural and "non-human" erotic stories.

Vice

Confessional comics are an intriguing, surprisingly supple medium in which to tell young women's stories.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is surprisingly poetic, optimistic and intriguing.

The New York Times

And yet the one-page menu offers a surprisingly varied selection of intriguing regional dishes.

The New York Times

An intriguing idea, surprisingly not tried before, is given an outing on BBC iPlayer on Saturday, in the form of Jessica Ennis-Hill's Training Tunes.

The Guardian - Sport

Tim Ivory, the crewman, complied, and Captain Whyte sounded the surprisingly high whistle, an intriguing Irish tenor where a landlubber might have expected a basso profundo.

The New York Times

This intriguing and surprisingly common phenomenon may represent yet another virulence attribute of C. albicans.

Fungal Genetics and Biology

The two front-runners have surprisingly subtle senses of humour, intriguing plots laced with satire and are odd enough to be penned by Spike Jonze.

The Guardian - Tech

But during my two visits to Montenegro over the last year, I found Podgorica to be surprisingly pleasant, with lively cafes, intriguing neighborhoods and no shortage of charms and moving encounters.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surprisingly intriguing" when you want to express that something is more interesting or fascinating than you initially expected. It adds a layer of unexpectedness to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "surprisingly intriguing" to describe subjects that are commonly known to be interesting. This can weaken the impact of the phrase and make your writing sound less genuine.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprisingly intriguing" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by adding the element of unexpectedness to the quality of being intriguing, indicating that something is not only interesting but also unexpectedly so. Ludwig AI examples showcase this use in contexts where initial expectations might be lower.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surprisingly intriguing" is a descriptive adjective phrase used to convey that something is unexpectedly interesting or captivating. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English, although it is relatively rare. Predominantly found in news and media and scientific contexts, the phrase adds a layer of unexpectedness to the idea of something being intriguing. To enhance your writing, use it when you want to highlight an unexpected element of interest, but avoid overusing it with predictable subjects. Consider alternatives like "unexpectedly fascinating" or "remarkably captivating" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprisingly captivating

Focuses on the unexpected captivating nature.

surprisingly fascinating

Focuses on the unexpected fascinating nature.

unexpectedly interesting

Highlights that the interest was not anticipated.

unexpectedly fascinating

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the fascination.

remarkably captivating

Highlights the captivating quality in a notable way.

remarkably interesting

Highlights the interesting nature in a notable way.

unusually compelling

Stresses the unusual strength of the compelling nature.

unexpectedly gripping

Highlights that the gripping nature was not anticipated.

curiously interesting

Highlights the interesting nature in a curious way.

strangely fascinating

Highlights the fascinating nature in a strange way.

FAQs

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

You can use "surprisingly intriguing" to describe something that is unexpectedly interesting or captivating. For example: "The old museum exhibit was "surprisingly intriguing", drawing me in with its hidden stories."

What can I say instead of "surprisingly intriguing"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpectedly fascinating", "remarkably captivating", or "unusually compelling" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "surprisingly intriguing"?

While "intriguing" already implies interest, adding "surprisingly" emphasizes that the interest was unexpected, making it acceptable in many contexts. However, avoid using it with subjects that are generally considered interesting to prevent sounding repetitive.

What is the difference between "surprisingly intriguing" and "mildly interesting"?

"Surprisingly intriguing" suggests a higher level of interest that was not anticipated, whereas "mildly interesting" indicates a low level of interest. The former is more emphatic and implies a pleasant discovery.