unexpectedly precise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexpectedly precise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is surprisingly accurate or exact, often in a context where precision was not anticipated. Example: "The results of the experiment were unexpectedly precise, leading to further investigation into the methodology used."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Although intended as a methodologic pilot, our results are unexpectedly precise enough to warrant clinical recommendations.

BMC Palliative Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was unexpectedly difficult to determine the precise catch mechanism in C. d. media.

Plosone

Recently he made a sturdier, more precise version from scratch, which unexpectedly yielded a wax model of the piece, in addition to the radiant aluminum final cast on view at Marks.

The New York Times - Arts

Dream Theater shifted unexpectedly from thrash to power balladry, arena-size pomp and precise, almost free-jazz experimentation.

The New York Times - Arts

The monotony is unexpectedly compelling as the choreography slides from slow motion to a precise minimalism.

The Guardian

Monthly observation allowed precise determination of time-dependent therapeutic response and demonstrated an unexpectedly rapid response to combination disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

BMJ Open

De Niro's turn in Silver Linings Playbook was not only his most technically precise since Heat, and his funniest since The King of Comedy, but unexpectedly affecting in a way we have not seen before.

The Guardian - Film

Importantly, the ability to activate the transcription factor (steroid receptor) using light provided a precise temporal start to measure the time needed for the gene to respond, an unexpectedly long time (2 hr).

eLife

For example, Boeing is developing software and sensors that would enable air traffic controllers to know the precise flight plans of every commercial airline in the country -- and thus detect any that unexpectedly fly off course.

The New York Times

Three days after the United States unexpectedly launched air strikes against an al-Qaida cell in Syria, officials are offering varied and conflicting explanations on the precise nature of the threat posed by the group.

The Guardian

Unexpectedly related!

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unexpectedly precise" to underscore a surprising level of accuracy or detail, especially when initial expectations were lower or less specific.

Common error

Avoid using "unexpectedly precise" when the context already implies an expectation of precision; it's most effective when highlighting a surprising level of accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpectedly precise" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to express that the degree of precision was surprising. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unexpectedly precise" is a grammatically correct adverb-adjective combination used to describe something that is surprisingly accurate or exact. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid. While not particularly common, it effectively highlights situations where precision exceeds expectations. It is most frequently used in scientific and news contexts. To enhance writing, reserve this phrase for instances where the precision is truly surprising, and consider alternatives like "surprisingly accurate" or "astonishingly exact" to avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpectedly accurate

Directly replaces 'precise' with 'accurate', keeping 'unexpectedly' as is.

surprisingly accurate

Emphasizes the accuracy being a surprise.

surprisingly exact

Emphasizes the exactness being a surprise.

astonishingly exact

Highlights the exactness in an astonishing way.

remarkably accurate

Focuses on the accuracy being noteworthy or remarkable.

unusually accurate

Indicates an accuracy that is beyond the norm.

surprisingly meticulous

Highlights a level of detail that is surprising.

unexpectedly meticulous

The meticulousness was not expected.

unforeseen precision

Precision that wasn't predicted or anticipated.

surprisingly well-defined

Describes the clarity and definition in a surprising manner.

FAQs

How can I use "unexpectedly precise" in a sentence?

You can use "unexpectedly precise" to describe results, measurements, or outcomes that are surprisingly accurate or exact. For instance, "The experiment yielded "unexpectedly precise" results, which challenged previous assumptions."

What are some alternatives to "unexpectedly precise"?

Some alternatives include "surprisingly accurate", "astonishingly exact", or "remarkably accurate". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "unexpectedly precise" if precision is already implied?

Yes, using "unexpectedly precise" can be redundant if the context already suggests precision is expected. The phrase works best when highlighting a surprising or unanticipated level of accuracy.

What's the difference between "unexpectedly precise" and "surprisingly accurate"?

While both phrases are similar, "unexpectedly precise" emphasizes exactness and detail, whereas "surprisingly accurate" focuses more on the correctness of a result. "Unexpectedly precise" might be used when referring to measurements, while "surprisingly accurate" could describe a prediction.