this is astonishing

USAGE SUMMARY

'this is astonishing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express your feeling of surprise or admiration for something, or to express disbelief or confusion. For example: "When I heard that she had completed the project ahead of schedule, I was astonished - this is astonishing!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

This is astonishing.

The New York Times

This is astonishing stuff.

The Guardian - Sport

This is astonishing news.

The Guardian

59 mins: This is astonishing.

The Guardian - Sport

"This is astonishing," I say to JACK.

The New York Times

By world ballet standards, this is astonishing.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

This was astonishing.

The New Yorker

This was astonishing, barely believable.

The Guardian - Sport

This was astonishing to me," she said.

The Guardian - Books

To me, this was astonishing for two reasons.

The New York Times

"This was astonishing to me," Mr. Auchincloss said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is astonishing" to express genuine surprise or admiration, but avoid overuse in formal writing where a more nuanced expression might be appropriate.

Common error

While "this is astonishing" is acceptable in many situations, it can sound informal in academic or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "this is remarkable" or "this is extraordinary" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is astonishing" functions as an expressive statement, conveying a strong sense of surprise, wonder, or disbelief. It is used to react to unexpected or remarkable information or events, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this is astonishing" serves as a powerful expression of surprise or wonder, commonly used across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. However, its appropriateness varies; formal settings might benefit from more nuanced alternatives such as "this is remarkable". Predominantly found in news and media, but also present in science and academic domains, this phrase remains a versatile tool for conveying astonishment, provided its register aligns with the intended audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is remarkable

Focuses on the noteworthy or exceptional nature of something.

this is incredible

Emphasizes the difficulty in believing something.

this is unbelievable

Highlights the implausible nature of a situation or fact.

this is astounding

Shares a similar intensity but might be perceived as slightly more formal.

this is surprising

Indicates unexpectedness without necessarily implying disbelief.

this is shocking

Implies a sense of dismay or outrage in addition to surprise.

this is extraordinary

Highlights the exceptional and unusual quality of something.

this is impressive

Focuses on the admirable or praiseworthy aspect of something.

this is flabbergasting

Highlights feeling of great surprise or bewilderment.

it defies belief

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting or believing something.

FAQs

What does "this is astonishing" mean?

The phrase "this is astonishing" expresses a feeling of great surprise or wonder, often indicating that something is unexpected or remarkable. It conveys a sense of disbelief or amazement at a particular fact, event, or situation.

What can I say instead of "this is astonishing"?

You can use alternatives like "this is remarkable", "this is incredible", or "this is surprising" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "this is astonishing" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "this is astonishing" may sound informal in academic or professional writing. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "this is remarkable" or "this is extraordinary".

How can the intensity of surprise be expressed differently?

The intensity of surprise can be adjusted by choosing different synonyms. For a stronger sense of disbelief, use "this is unbelievable". For a milder expression of unexpectedness, "this is surprising" may be more appropriate.