that surprised me

USAGE SUMMARY

'that surprised me' is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used as a dependent clause to describe an action or event that caused surprise to the speaker. Example: "The sudden gust of wind that surprised me made me drop my books."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here is something that surprised me.

Independent

"He didn't do anything that surprised me.

The New York Times - Sports

That is the emotion that surprised me in Brooklyn.

The New Yorker

That was the thing that surprised me more than anything.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps because he suddenly looked so slight, that surprised me.

The Guardian - Music

Anything that's in the film is something that surprised me.

The Guardian

The thing that surprised me was how dogmatic people were.

The New Yorker

So, that surprised me — especially given how much oil was coming out of the well.

The New Yorker

I spent months reporting this piece, and nearly every day there was something that surprised me.

The New York Times

"It gave me a sense of pervasiveness about the problem that surprised me," he said.

The New York Times

I'm not sure why that surprised me so, but it did.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that surprised me" to introduce a personal reaction or observation, making your writing more engaging and relatable.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "that surprised me" in a single piece of writing. Variety in phrasing keeps your content fresh and prevents it from becoming monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that surprised me" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information or a personal reaction to a statement or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct dependent clause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that surprised me" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express personal surprise or unexpectedness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity and its prevalence in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, the phrase is best used to add a personal touch to your writing or conversation. Remember to vary your phrasing to prevent monotony, and consider alternatives like "that caught me off guard" or "that took me by surprise" for added impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that caught me off guard

Emphasizes the unexpectedness and lack of preparation for the event.

that took me by surprise

Highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of the event.

that astonished me

Indicates a high degree of amazement and wonder.

that amazed me

Focuses on the feeling of wonder and admiration caused by the event.

that stunned me

Suggests a strong feeling of shock and disbelief.

that shocked me

Highlights the unexpected and often negative nature of the surprise.

that took me aback

Implies a brief moment of disorientation due to surprise.

that rattled me

Indicates a feeling of nervousness or anxiety caused by the surprise.

that threw me for a loop

Signifies a state of confusion or disorientation.

that left me speechless

Emphasizes the inability to react verbally due to the intensity of the surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "that surprised me" in a sentence?

You can use "that surprised me" to express your reaction to something unexpected. For example, "The fact that he apologized, that surprised me."

What are some alternatives to "that surprised me"?

Consider using alternatives such as "that caught me off guard", "that took me by surprise", or "that amazed me" to add variety to your writing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "that surprised me"?

Yes, "that surprised me" is grammatically correct. It functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about something that caused surprise.

What's the difference between "that surprised me" and "that shocked me"?

"That surprised me" generally indicates a mild to moderate level of unexpectedness. "That shocked me", on the other hand, suggests a more intense and often negative surprise.