very unexpected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very unexpected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that was surprising or unforeseen. Example: "The sudden announcement of the company's closure was very unexpected for all employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very unexpected & VERY good.

Huffington Post

It was very unexpected".

The New Yorker

"He's very unexpected.

The New York Times - Arts

All very unexpected.

The Guardian - Film

Yes, it was very unexpected.

The New York Times

"It's a very unexpected death.

The Guardian - Sport

Something very unexpected, very insightful".

The New York Times

"It was very unexpected," said Turner.

Independent

"This is just something very unexpected.

Independent

One very unexpected player settled it.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is very unexpected," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very unexpected" to emphasize a surprising outcome or event. It is particularly effective when contrasting an event with prior expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "very unexpected" for trivial occurrences. Reserve it for situations that genuinely deviate from the norm or expectations, to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "very unexpected" is to serve as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes something as surprising or unforeseen. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very unexpected" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something that is surprising or unforeseen. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usability is confirmed through numerous examples. It is most frequently used in news and media contexts. While the phrase is generally acceptable, be mindful of overuse in trivial situations to retain its impact. Alternatives like "highly surprising" or "quite unforeseen" can be used to add variety to your writing. Understanding its proper context and usage will enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly surprising

Emphasizes the degree of surprise more strongly.

incredibly surprising

Highlights the degree of surprise even stronger.

quite unforeseen

Focuses on the inability to predict the event beforehand.

utterly unanticipated

Highlights the complete lack of anticipation.

totally unpredicted

Stresses that no prediction accounted for the event.

completely out of the blue

Implies the event was sudden and without warning.

entirely unlooked-for

Emphasizes that the event was not anticipated or expected.

remarkably unforeseen

Highlights the notable aspect of being unforeseen.

entirely contrary to expectations

Contrasts with what was expected.

altogether astonishing

Suggests a high level of amazement due to being unexpected.

FAQs

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

You can use "very unexpected" to describe something that was surprising or not anticipated. For example, "The company's sudden closure was "very unexpected" for all employees."

What are some alternatives to "very unexpected"?

You can use alternatives like "highly surprising", "quite unforeseen", or "utterly unanticipated" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "highly unexpected" instead of "very unexpected"?

Yes, "highly unexpected" is a suitable alternative to "very unexpected". Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning.

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

The addition of "very" intensifies the degree of surprise or lack of anticipation. "Unexpected" simply means not expected, while ""very unexpected"" emphasizes that the event was particularly surprising.