that was unexpected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was unexpected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any surprise or unexpected event. For example: "The news of my promotion came as a shock - that was unexpected!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He showed a warmth that was unexpected.

The Guardian

"The project triggered something inside all of us that was unexpected," he continues.

Independent

"The no-hitter into the sixth inning, that was unexpected," the Gov said.

The New York Times

Mr. Morvillo asked him to give an example of one thing that was unexpected.

The New York Times

We remember a vivid person, a remark, a sight that was unexpected, an occasion on which we felt something profoundly.

The New Yorker

Mr. Bellone's election ends a period of political tumult on Long Island that was unexpected and at times head-snapping.

The New York Times

Update: Mr. Cheney's comments about Sarah Palin drew some respectful objections from one expected source — and one that was unexpected.

The New York Times

It was something of a Diana moment: an outpouring of grief and emotion that was unexpected as the death itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

I went for: "Whoah, that was unexpected – was that really meant for me?" He did not reply.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The direct connection between the Madoff Ponzi scheme and the Mets' revenues is something that was unexpected," said Marc Ganis, a sports-industry consultant.

The New York Times

This sign of lengthening days, the promise of a change of season, had an effect on her that was unexpected and crushing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was unexpected" to succinctly express surprise when something deviates from what was predicted or anticipated. It works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While versatile, relying excessively on "that was unexpected" in formal writing can make your tone seem less sophisticated. Consider using more nuanced alternatives such as "that was unforeseen" or "that development proved unanticipated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was unexpected" serves as an exclamatory statement expressing surprise or a lack of anticipation for a particular event or outcome. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was unexpected" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to express surprise or lack of anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While suitable for most situations, more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain professional settings. The phrase enjoys broad usage, especially in journalistic and scientific contexts, with authoritative sources frequently employing it to convey unforeseen developments. Remember to use "that was unforeseen" or "that development proved unanticipated" in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was unforeseen

Replaces "unexpected" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the lack of prior sight or knowledge.

that was unanticipated

Uses a different synonym for "unexpected", focusing on the element of not being anticipated or planned for.

that was unpredicted

Highlights the inability to predict the event, suggesting it defied forecasting.

that wasn't anticipated

Passive voice construction emphasizing the lack of anticipation.

that came as a surprise

Shifts the focus to the feeling of surprise caused by the event.

that took me by surprise

Emphasizes the personal impact of the unexpected event on the speaker.

that was hardly expected

Emphasizes the low probability of the event occurring.

that was quite a shock

Indicates a stronger reaction to the unexpected event, implying a significant impact.

that was out of the blue

Emphasizes the sudden and completely unheralded nature of the event.

that was off the cards

Idiomatic expression suggesting the event was not a possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "that was unexpected" in a sentence?

You can use "that was unexpected" to express surprise at an event. For example, "The team won the championship; "that was unexpected" because they were the underdogs".

What are some alternatives to "that was unexpected"?

Alternatives include "that was surprising", "that was unforeseen", or "that was unanticipated" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that was unexpectedly"?

While grammatically possible, "that was unexpectedly" is less common. It's typically better to use "that was unexpected" or rephrase the sentence to use "unexpectedly" as an adverb modifying a verb, such as "the results were unexpectedly positive".

What's the difference between "that was unexpected" and "that was surprising"?

While similar, "unexpected" implies a deviation from what was predicted or anticipated, whereas "surprising" emphasizes the feeling of astonishment. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the lack of anticipation or the emotional reaction. In many cases, these phrases are interchangeable.