unexpected

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unexpected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that was not anticipated or foreseen. For example: "She was surprised to find an unexpected bouquet of flowers on her doorstep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With its unexpected revival, Ripper Street has grown broader shoulders and a more confident gait, while retaining the stillness that made it so impressive in the first place.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

McDermott says his squad is too limited and needs January reinforcements – most fans agree, but many of them also detect unexpected limitations in McDermott's approach and are eager to see some new ideas as well as new faces.

The Guardian - Sport

BBC1's Election 2015 programme had an average of 4.3 million viewers, a 38.5% share, from 9.55pm on Thursday, kicking off with its shock exit poll that predicted an unexpected 316 seats for the Conservatives.

The Guardian

Its executive Loren Treisman says: "It's exciting to see a technology-driven project targeting such an unexpected constituency.

The Guardian

Even her few words of Gaelic at the start of her speech at the state dinner on Wednesday evening – "A Úachtárain agus a chairde" ("president and friends", immaculately pronounced) – were an unexpected gesture.

The Guardian

A good app does something unexpected – or expected, but for some reason nobody has done it before.

The Guardian

One of the unexpected pleasures of this magical island, incidentally, is how more or less everyone has a passionate interest in the English Premiership.

The Guardian - Travel

"Maybe it was unexpected that the deal was reached," admitted Zsoltan Kovacs, an Orban spokesman, adding: "The contracts are signed".

The Guardian

However, she says: "Sometimes it comes back at unexpected moments.

The Guardian - Music

Salmond was stunned by the unexpected concession, which seemed to have deprived him of the opportunity to attack Westminster for meddling in Scottish matters.

The Guardian

She was an alcoholic arrested more than 400 times, but clearly found some kindness in the unexpected surroundings of the House of Detention where she made the cushion in 1879 and presented it to the warden.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unexpected" to add emphasis to situations that deviate from the norm or anticipated outcomes. This can heighten the impact of your writing, especially in narrative or descriptive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "unexpected" in situations where the outcome is reasonably predictable. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound less credible.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unexpected" primarily functions to modify nouns, indicating that something was not anticipated or foreseen. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage through numerous examples from varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "unexpected" is a common and versatile term used to describe events, outcomes, or situations that were not anticipated or foreseen. As validated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, especially in news and media. While synonyms like "unforeseen" or "surprising" can be used as alternatives, "unexpected" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. A key takeaway is to avoid overuse in predictable scenarios, preserving its impact when highlighting genuine deviations from expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unanticipated

Focuses on the lack of prior anticipation.

Unforeseen

Highlights the lack of foresight in predicting the event.

Surprising

Emphasizes the element of surprise caused by the event.

Unpredicted

Directly states that the event was not predicted.

Unanticipated event

Adds the noun "event" to explicitly define the unexpected thing.

Out of the blue

An idiomatic expression indicating suddenness and lack of warning.

Sudden development

Implies something has developed quickly and without warning.

Unlooked-for

Emphasizes that the event was not being looked for or anticipated.

Unheralded

Highlights that the event occurred without prior announcement or fanfare.

Chance encounter

Implies a meeting or event happened by chance.

FAQs

How can I use "unexpected" in a sentence?

You can use "unexpected" to describe events, results, or situations that were not anticipated. For example, "The company reported an "unexpected increase" in profits this quarter".

What are some synonyms for "unexpected"?

Alternatives to "unexpected" include "unforeseen", "surprising", and "unanticipated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "unexpected" or "unforeseen"?

Both "unexpected" and "unforeseen" are similar, but "unexpected" generally implies a lack of anticipation, while "unforeseen" suggests something that could not have been predicted.

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

"Unexpected" means not expected, while "surprising" means causing surprise. Something can be unexpected without being particularly surprising, and vice versa. For example, an "unexpected delay" might not be surprising given the circumstances.