this is startling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is startling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express surprise or shock about a particular situation or piece of information. Example: "After hearing the news about the sudden changes in policy, I must say, this is startling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

All this is startling, terrific stuff, as is so much of "The Sport of Kings".

The New Yorker

Everyone demanded more money for health, but the scale of this is startling.

The Guardian

This is startling, coming from a Republican president and former general.

The Guardian - Film

This is startling, considering how much money organizations spend conducting employee surveys and reorganizations, engaging consultants and implementing change initiatives.

Harvard Business Review

"This is startling information," says Stephen S. Morse, an assistant professor of virology at the Rockefeller University in New York.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is startling at a time when the central government's budget deficit is ballooning following repeated and massive dollops of fiscal stimulus.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

This was startling news.

The New York Times - Magazine

This was startling.

The New Yorker

This was startling, considering how I was enjoying the quiet reverie of the wooded road.

The New York Times

This was startling for I knew, through my many conversations with them, that they did understand the concepts.

University of California, Berkeley

Several years ago this was startling and clever, though it was realizing an approach familiar from video games.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is startling" to introduce a fact or situation that is unexpected and noteworthy, especially when you want to highlight its unexpected nature.

Common error

Avoid using "this is startling" in casual conversation, as it can sound overly formal or dramatic. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "that's surprising" or "wow" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is startling" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing surprise or shock at a particular piece of information. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. It serves to highlight the unexpected or remarkable nature of a situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is startling" is a grammatically sound and formally acceptable way to express surprise or shock. While not exceedingly common, Ludwig AI confirms it finds use across various reputable sources like news outlets, academic journals, and business publications. Its primary function is to highlight unexpected information, making it ideal for emphasizing the significance of a surprising fact or event. When writing, consider the context to avoid sounding overly formal in casual settings, and remember to use it when you want to draw attention to something genuinely noteworthy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is surprising

Replaces "startling" with a more common synonym, "surprising", maintaining a similar level of formality.

this is shocking

Uses "shocking" to emphasize a stronger negative reaction than "startling".

this is astonishing

Employs "astonishing" to suggest a higher degree of amazement or disbelief.

this is unexpected

Focuses on the lack of anticipation rather than the intensity of the reaction.

this is remarkable

Highlights the unusual and noteworthy nature of the subject.

this is alarming

Conveys a sense of concern or worry in addition to surprise.

this is flabbergasting

Offers a more informal and emphatic way to express surprise.

it's surprising to see

Changes the sentence structure to focus on the act of seeing something unexpected.

it is quite unexpected

Rephrases for emphasis on how unexpected the situation is.

what a surprise

An interjection expressing shock and amazement about an unpredictable event.

FAQs

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

"This is startling" is typically used to introduce information that is surprising or unexpected. For example, "The sudden increase in unemployment, this is startling, given the recent economic growth."

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

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

Is "this is startling" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "this is startling" is suitable for formal writing when you need to convey surprise or emphasize the unexpected nature of a piece of information. It is commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and business reports.

What's the difference between "this is startling" and "this was startling"?

"This is startling" refers to something that is currently surprising, while "this was startling" refers to something that was surprising in the past. The choice depends on whether the surprise is still relevant or has already passed.