this is astounding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is astounding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express surprise or admiration about something impressive or unexpected. Example: "After witnessing the incredible performance, I couldn't help but say, 'This is astounding!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Maybe it was the spine-tingling moment when five flaming Olympic rings floated into the sky, shedding sparks, that I lost the last vestiges of my Olympic cynicism and thought: this is astounding.

The Guardian

This is astounding.

Forbes

The stupidity of this is astounding.

HuffPost

The cruelty and heartlessness of this is astounding.

Huffington Post

This is ASTOUNDING". Mayer herself, with more than 157,000 Twitter followers – a number that is sure to grow rapidly – had given no clue, tweeting back at the start of the month that she was just about to start watching the hit TV series Breaking Bad.

The Guardian - Tech

This is astounding enrollment growth, but federal aid for students to attend has not kept up.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"The debate in Norway about if we should get rid of this animal is astounding.

The New York Times

There is some degree of mythmaking and truth-stretching in every campaign, but the extent to which Republicans have embraced ignobility in this campaign is astounding.

The New York Times

"Apparently," he wrote, "my book is not deemed blasphemous or objectionable in itself, but is being proscribed for, so to speak, its own good!" The letter went on to say: This really is astounding.

The New York Times

That so many otherwise seemingly intelligent and educated seers seem to have so overlooked this fact is astounding.

Forbes

The idiocy of this group is astounding.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is astounding" when you want to express genuine surprise or admiration at something unexpected or impressive. Consider the audience and context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "this is astounding" for everyday occurrences or minor achievements. Reserve it for truly remarkable or unexpected events to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is astounding" functions as an exclamatory expression. It serves to convey a strong sense of surprise, admiration, or disbelief in response to something remarkable or unexpected, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is astounding" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey a strong sense of surprise or admiration. It functions as an exclamatory statement, highlighting the remarkable nature of something. As indicated by Ludwig, it's commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. To maximize impact, it should be reserved for genuinely noteworthy situations, differentiating it from routine occurrences. Consider alternatives like "this is remarkable" or "this is astonishing" for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is remarkable

Replaces "astounding" with a synonym suggesting something noteworthy or exceptional.

this is astonishing

Employs a different synonym for "astounding", emphasizing the surprising nature of something.

this is incredible

Uses "incredible" to highlight the unbelievable or extraordinary aspect.

this is amazing

Substitutes "astounding" with "amazing", indicating great wonder or admiration.

this is unbelievable

Highlights the difficulty in believing something, expressing surprise.

this is mind-blowing

Uses a more informal expression to describe something overwhelming or astonishing.

this is staggering

Suggests that something is overwhelming in its magnitude or impact.

it defies belief

Emphasizes the implausibility of something, making it hard to accept.

it beggars description

Indicates that something is so extraordinary that it's difficult to describe adequately.

words cannot express

Conveys the inability to articulate the profoundness or amazement felt.

FAQs

How can I use "this is astounding" in a sentence?

You can use "this is astounding" to express surprise or admiration. For example, "After seeing the magician's performance, I thought, "this is astounding"!"

What are some alternatives to "this is astounding"?

Some alternatives include "this is remarkable", "this is astonishing", or "this is incredible" depending on the context.

Is "this is astounding" formal or informal?

"This is astounding" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It can be used in a variety of contexts but is most effective when expressing genuine surprise.

What makes "this is astounding" different from "this is surprising"?

"This is astounding" conveys a stronger sense of awe and wonder than "this is surprising". "Astounding" implies a higher degree of amazement and unexpectedness.