this is surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express surprise or disbelief about a situation. For example, "The teacher gave us a test on the first day of class? This is surprising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Some Surprises None of this is surprising.

The New York Times

This is surprising.

Yale University

None of this is surprising.

University of California, Berkeley

On one level, this is surprising.

The Guardian - Music

In some ways, this is surprising.

The New Yorker

To historians, none of this is surprising.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

This was surprising.

The New York Times - Magazine

None of this was surprising.

The New Yorker

Not that this was surprising.

The New York Times - Arts

To hear him say this was surprising.

Los Angeles Times

This result is surprising.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is surprising" when you genuinely want to express your astonishment or disbelief about something, ensuring the context is clear to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "this is surprising" too frequently in your writing. Overusing it can make your tone seem insincere or melodramatic. Instead, vary your expressions of surprise with alternatives like "this is unexpected" or "this is remarkable".

Linguistic Context

"This is surprising" functions as an expressive statement, typically used to convey a sense of wonder, disbelief, or mild shock at an unexpected event or piece of information. Ludwig's examples show its versatility in various contexts, from news reports to academic discussions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is surprising" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express astonishment or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and illustrates its usage in a variety of contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid sounding insincere. Alternatives such as "this is unexpected" or "this is remarkable" can add nuance to your writing. Keep in mind this is a common and appropriate way to express a feeling of surprise or disbelief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This is unexpected

Focuses on the lack of anticipation rather than the feeling of surprise.

This is astonishing

Emphasizes a greater degree of amazement or disbelief.

This is startling

Highlights the sudden and potentially alarming nature of the surprise.

This is puzzling

Suggests the surprising element is also confusing or difficult to understand.

It's quite a shock

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate surprise.

This is remarkable

Implies the surprising thing is also noteworthy or exceptional.

This is unforeseen

Highlights that something was not anticipated.

This is flabbergasting

Indicates overwhelming astonishment and bewilderment.

That's a curveball

Uses a metaphor to describe an unexpected change or event.

I didn't see that coming

Indicates a lack of prior awareness or anticipation.

FAQs

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

You can use "this is surprising" to express your astonishment about something unexpected. For example, "The fact that he resigned so suddenly? This is surprising."

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

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

What's the difference between "this is surprising" and "this is unexpected"?

"This is surprising" emphasizes your feeling of astonishment, while "this is unexpected" focuses more on the lack of anticipation. They can often be used interchangeably, but "this is surprising" carries a stronger emotional charge.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "this is surprising"?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "this is surprising". It's a common and grammatically correct way to express surprise.