unexpected result

USAGE SUMMARY

'unexpected result' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a result that wasn't anticipated or predicted, such as the outcome of an experiment or a test. For example, "The professor was surprised by the unexpected result of the lab test."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The unexpected result?

The New York Times

"This is an unexpected result".

The New York Times

What explains this unexpected result?

The New York Times

— the revised and unexpected result.

The New Yorker

There was another unexpected result.

The New York Times

We obtained an unexpected result.

Nature

Further experiments, though, produced an unexpected result.

The Economist

It was an astonishing and unexpected result.

The Guardian

Two factors account for this unexpected result.

The New York Times

Discussion of possible reasons for this unexpected result follows.

Princeton University

Despite the unexpected result, he is not afraid.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research findings, use "unexpected result" to highlight outcomes that challenge existing theories or assumptions. This can add intrigue and emphasize the need for further investigation.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the importance of an "unexpected result" without sufficient evidence. While surprising, it may not always be groundbreaking and could be due to experimental error or other confounding factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpected result" functions as a noun phrase, where "unexpected" modifies the noun "result". It describes a specific type of outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

43%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unexpected result" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term, as validated by Ludwig AI, particularly in scientific, news, and academic contexts. It serves to emphasize outcomes that deviate from expectations, prompting further analysis or investigation. While "unexpected result" is generally neutral in tone, remember to avoid overstating its significance without sufficient support. Alternative phrases like "surprising outcome" or "anomalous finding" can be used to fine-tune the nuance or level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprising outcome

Replaces "result" with "outcome", emphasizing the conclusion or effect; the surprise factor remains the same.

unforeseen consequence

Substitutes "result" with "consequence", highlighting the ramification or effect that was not predicted.

unpredicted effect

Uses "effect" instead of "result", emphasizing the impact or change produced; the lack of prediction is maintained.

anomalous finding

Commonly used in scientific contexts, it indicates a result that deviates from the norm or expected pattern.

chance outcome

Highlights the role of randomness or luck in the result, differing from a result stemming from a specific cause.

unanticipated development

Replaces "result" with "development", emphasizing a new stage or event that was not expected.

fluke occurrence

Emphasizes the accidental or improbable nature of the result, suggesting it's unlikely to be repeated.

deviant outcome

Highlights that the result differs from what is standard or expected.

unexpectedly arise

Changes the phrase to a verb form, focusing on the action of the result appearing without anticipation.

serendipitous discovery

Emphasizes the positive or fortunate aspect of an unexpected result, often implying accidental discovery.

FAQs

How can I use "unexpected result" in a sentence?

You can use "unexpected result" to describe an outcome that was not predicted or anticipated. For example, "The study yielded an "unexpected result", challenging previous assumptions".

What is a more formal alternative to "unexpected result"?

In formal writing, you might consider using phrases like "anomalous finding" or "unforeseen consequence" to convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is it always negative to have an "unexpected result"?

Not necessarily. While an "unexpected result" can indicate an error or problem, it can also lead to new discoveries and insights. It depends on the context and how the result is interpreted.

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

While both phrases convey a sense of surprise, "unexpected result" often implies a deviation from a predicted or anticipated outcome, whereas "surprising outcome" simply emphasizes the feeling of surprise without necessarily implying a prior expectation.