unexpected to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexpected to" is not correct and usable in written English as it lacks clarity and proper context.
It may be intended to express surprise or disbelief regarding an outcome or situation, but it needs additional context to be meaningful. Example: "The results were unexpected to the researchers, who had anticipated a different outcome."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This was unexpected, to say the least.

Independent

"It wasn't entirely unexpected to be honest," she said.

The Guardian - Sport

It's similarly unexpected to find a burgeoning surf scene here.

The Guardian - Travel

And so it's unexpected to find Shakespeare hit the spot.

The Guardian

Then she did something unexpected to that genre.

The New York Times - Arts

Could the money trail lead somewhere unexpected – to the president?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Unexpected to everyone on the outside, at least.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was very unexpected to find this big of a gap that couldn't be explained".

The New York Times - Science

"It was pretty unexpected to be world champion in super-G," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I prefer to travel with someone who allows the unexpected to happen.

Independent

"There's always something unexpected to find on a hike," Mr. Licata said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, replace "unexpected to" with alternatives like "surprising to" or "unforeseen by".

Common error

Avoid using "unexpected to" as a substitute for phrases that correctly express the idea of something being surprising or unforeseen. Instead, use grammatically sound alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpected to" typically functions as a descriptive element indicating surprise or a lack of anticipation. Ludwig AI notes that it is not grammatically correct. However, in contexts where it appears, it attempts to modify a statement by expressing that something was not foreseen by a particular person or group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

34%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "unexpected to" appears frequently across various sources, including news, media, and science, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as lacking clarity and proper context. Its intended purpose is to convey surprise or a lack of anticipation. However, due to its grammatical issues, it is best to replace "unexpected to" with more appropriate alternatives like "surprising to" or "unforeseen by", especially in formal and professional writing. The phrase's informal nature and grammatical ambiguity make it less suitable for authoritative contexts, despite its common occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprising to

Emphasizes the element of surprise experienced by someone.

unforeseen by

Highlights the lack of anticipation or prediction by someone.

unanticipated by

Focuses on the lack of prior anticipation.

came as a surprise to

Indicates that something was surprising when it occurred.

was not anticipated by

Stresses the absence of expectation on someone's part.

caught off guard

Suggests that someone was unprepared for something.

took by surprise

Focuses on the suddenness and unexpected nature of something.

was a shock to

Emphasizes the element of shock or disbelief.

contrary to expectations

Highlights that something happened differently than predicted.

deviated from the expected

Indicates a departure from what was anticipated or normal.

FAQs

What is a better way to phrase "unexpected to"?

You can use alternatives such as "surprising to", "unforeseen by", or "unanticipated by" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How can I use "unexpected to" correctly in a sentence?

While "unexpected to" is often used, it's grammatically questionable. Consider rephrasing your sentence for better clarity. For example, instead of "It was unexpected to me", try "It was surprising to me" or "I didn't expect it".

What's the difference between "unexpected to" and "unexpected by"?

"Unexpected to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Unexpected by" is a better alternative but may still sound awkward. Rephrasing with "unforeseen by" or "unanticipated by" often provides clearer and more grammatically sound sentences.

Is "unexpected to" formal or informal?

Due to its grammatical ambiguity, "unexpected to" is best avoided in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives like "surprising to" or "unforeseen by" in professional or academic contexts.