unexpected remarks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexpected remarks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe comments or statements that are surprising or not anticipated in a given context. Example: "During the meeting, she made several unexpected remarks that caught everyone off guard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Mr. Biden's unexpected remarks undoubtedly accelerated the timetable.

The New York Times

Herzog asks his usual philosophical, probing questions that elicit unexpected remarks from the scientists.

Huffington Post

Trump's unexpected remarks prompted North Korea to respond by saying it was considering plans for a missile strike on the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.

Huffington Post

Gay rights advocates seized upon the Biden stance, and within days, Obama announced that he too supported same-sex marriage, an action in part forced by Biden's unexpected remarks.

Wikipedia

Westwood's unexpected remarks in defense of the American Army private who was then being court-martialed for leaking the "Collateral Murder" video to WikiLeaks, along with hundreds of thousands of State Department cables threatened to upend Wintour's well-scripted event.

Vice

As President Obama observed in his unexpected remarks to the White House press corps last Friday, black men and boys do not appear to be benefiting equally from America's generational evolution on race relations.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Rumsfeld's unexpected remark — undercutting one of the Administration's principal arguments for going to war — had already prompted press inquiries at the Pentagon, suggesting a bad news cycle ahead.

The New Yorker

An unsigned review in The New York Times, dated Nov. 12, 1910, lambasted Baedeker's "Great Britain," saying that the use of a guidebook denies the traveler the delight of the unexpected, and remarking icily, "Why has the Lake District received extraordinary honors and not the scenery of Wales?" Baedeker guides also gained a measure of notoriety in World War II.

The New York Times - Travel

If hers was a remark unexpected from a model, it should be noted that Ms. O'Connor in no way typifies the breed.

The New York Times - Style

Eurogamer opined that the ending was effective and unexpected, while VanOrd remarked that the ending cutscene "features some uncomfortable images that will linger in your mind even after you've returned to the [main game]." Despite evaluating the pack's short length, VanOrd concluded that Overlord "is one downloadable delight Mass Effect 2 fans shouldn't miss".

Wikipedia

It may surprise people (in a good way) if you come out with a wonderful, unexpected, well-informed remark.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unexpected remarks" to add a layer of surprise or unpredictability to a situation or person's behavior. It's more impactful when the context leads the audience to believe something else was anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "unexpected remarks" when the situation already implies unpredictability. This can dilute the phrase's impact. Instead, reserve it for situations where remarks deviate significantly from expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpected remarks" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'unexpected' modifies 'remarks'. It describes the nature of the remarks, indicating they were surprising or unanticipated. Ludwig's analysis confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unexpected remarks" is a grammatically correct and usable term to describe surprising or unanticipated comments. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples across various sources. While not extremely common, the phrase is versatile and effective for highlighting unpredictability in communication. Related phrases like "surprising comments" offer similar meanings, but "unexpected remarks" specifically emphasizes the lack of anticipation. Remember to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations where the remarks genuinely deviate from expectations to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprising comments

Emphasizes the element of surprise in the comments made.

unforeseen statements

Highlights the lack of anticipation surrounding the statements.

unanticipated comments

Focuses on the lack of expectation regarding the comments.

startling observations

Suggests the remarks were not only unexpected but also shocking or alarming.

sudden pronouncements

Implies the remarks were made abruptly and without warning.

surprise utterances

Highlights the act of speaking unexpectedly.

unpredicted statements

Emphasizes the inability to foresee the statements being made.

out-of-the-blue comments

Suggests the remarks came completely without warning or context.

chance remarks

Highlights the accidental nature of the remarks.

casual observations

Suggests the remarks were offhand and not seriously intended.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "unexpected remarks" in a sentence?

Use "unexpected remarks" to highlight a contrast between what was anticipated and what was actually said. For example, "Despite the tension, his "unexpected remarks" brought humor to the situation".

What are some alternatives to "unexpected remarks" that I can use to vary my writing?

You can use alternatives like "surprising comments", "unforeseen statements", or "unanticipated comments" to express the same idea with slightly different nuances.

Is there a subtle difference in meaning between "unexpected remarks" and "surprising comments"?

"Unexpected remarks" emphasizes the lack of anticipation, while "surprising comments" highlights the element of astonishment or wonder. The choice depends on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

In what context is it most appropriate to use the phrase "unexpected remarks"?

The phrase "unexpected remarks" is best used in contexts where there is a clear deviation from what was predicted or anticipated, adding emphasis to the surprising nature of the comments. This usage is appropriate in "news media", academic discussions, and general conversation.