that is surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

'that is surprising' is correct and usable in written English.
You would typically use it to indicate that something is unexpected or unexpected news. For example: "She was offered a job at the top firm in town - that is surprising, considering she's only just graduated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a way, that is surprising.

The Economist

Yet the finished building has a dignity that is surprising.

The New Yorker

It is Corbyn's behaviour towards Abbott that is surprising.

Independent

"There's not a whole lot in the minutes that is surprising.

The Guardian - Business

No one, for instance, has managed to grow bone marrow successfully.At first sight, that is surprising.

The Economist

Nor has anyone managed to grow bone marrow.At first sight, that is surprising.

The Economist

The plan is to finish construction by 2019.It is not the verdict itself but its decisiveness that is surprising.

The Economist

At their best, they can capture a fleeting moment between the two, revealing an ease and intimacy that is surprising.

The New York Times

But for all the deluge of information and speculation about the European economy in recent months there is not a lot that is surprising.

Independent

But Pennington made an adjustment, throwing to his second and third options, exhibiting the sort of savvy game management that is surprising given his limited N.F.L. experience.

The New York Times - Sports

The errors in judgment and procedure by Brynwood Partners seem to belie a lack of sophistication that is surprising.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that is surprising", follow it with a clear explanation of why the information is unexpected to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "that is surprising" too frequently in your writing, as it can lose its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "unexpected", "astonishing", or "remarkable" to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that is surprising" primarily functions as an evaluative statement. It is used to express a reaction to information that deviates from expectations or prior knowledge. Ludwig's examples show this in various contexts, highlighting unexpected outcomes or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that is surprising" is a versatile phrase used to denote unexpectedness across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially in news and media. When writing, consider synonyms to avoid overuse and ensure the tone matches the formality of the context. Use this phrase to draw attention to deviations from the expected, piquing reader interest. Top sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist underscoring its reliability in journalistic and authoritative content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's unexpected

Replaces 'surprising' with 'unexpected', focusing on the lack of anticipation.

it's astonishing that

Uses 'astonishing' to emphasize the degree of surprise or disbelief.

that's unforeseen

Highlights the lack of anticipation for something.

that's quite a shock

Highlights the sudden and impactful nature of the surprise.

it's remarkable that

Emphasizes the unusual or noteworthy aspect of the situation.

it's a shock that

Emphasis is put on shock related to how unexpected the event was.

that's rather peculiar

Suggests the surprising element is also odd or strange.

it's unforeseen that

Focuses on the lack of foresight or anticipation.

that catches me off guard

Highlights the personal experience of being surprised.

it defies expectation that

Implies the event goes against what was predicted or assumed.

FAQs

How can I use "that is surprising" in a sentence?

You can use "that is surprising" to introduce an unexpected fact or outcome, for example, "The company reported record profits; that is surprising given the current economic downturn."

What phrases are similar to "that is surprising"?

Alternatives include "that is startling", "that's unexpected", or "it's astonishing that" depending on the context.

Is "that is surprising" formal or informal?

"That is surprising" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic writing. For example, the phrase "it is remarkable that" is more formal.

When should I avoid using "that is surprising"?

Avoid using "that is surprising" when the context clearly implies that something is unexpected. Redundancy can weaken your writing. Instead, simply state the surprising fact.