was completely unexpected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was completely unexpected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that took you by surprise or was not anticipated. Example: "The sudden announcement of the merger was completely unexpected for all employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was completely unexpected.

The Guardian - Sport

This was completely unexpected.

The New York Times - Arts

The violence was completely unexpected.

The Guardian

"For us it was completely unexpected.

Independent

"That was completely unexpected," said Namouni.

The Guardian

"It was completely unexpected," he said.

The Guardian

"The reaction of the Inter fans was completely unexpected.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was completely unexpected, remarkable, almost unbelievable," Taira said.

The New Yorker

The success of the campaign was completely unexpected.

The New York Times

"For us it was completely unexpected," he claimed.

The Guardian

"To win here was completely unexpected going into the race.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was completely unexpected" to convey genuine surprise or a lack of anticipation, especially when emphasizing the unforeseen nature of an event or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "was completely unexpected" for outcomes that are reasonably predictable or have a high probability of occurring. This dilutes the impact of the phrase and can make your writing sound disingenuous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was completely unexpected" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun or situation as surprising or unforeseen. Ludwig examples confirm its use in expressing genuine surprise across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was completely unexpected" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to convey surprise or a lack of anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives exist, such as "came as a total surprise" or "was entirely unforeseen", "was completely unexpected" effectively emphasizes the unforeseen nature of an event or situation. Ensure to use it when expressing genuine surprise and not for predictable outcomes to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came as a total surprise

Emphasizes the element of surprise as the main focus.

was entirely unforeseen

Highlights the lack of foresight or prediction.

was quite unanticipated

A more formal way of expressing that something was not expected.

took me by surprise

Focuses on the personal experience of being surprised.

was totally unpredicted

Stresses that the event was not predicted by anyone.

was beyond expectation

Indicates that the event exceeded any anticipated outcomes.

was out of the blue

Suggests that the event happened suddenly and without warning.

was a complete shock

Emphasizes the emotional impact of the unexpected event.

caught me off guard

Highlights the unpreparedness of the person due to the unexpected nature of the event.

was a bolt from the blue

A more vivid and emphatic way of saying "was out of the blue."

FAQs

How can I use "was completely unexpected" in a sentence?

You can use "was completely unexpected" to describe something that surprised you. For example, "The news of his resignation was completely unexpected".

What can I say instead of "was completely unexpected"?

You can use alternatives like "came as a total surprise", "was entirely unforeseen", or "took me by surprise" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "was completely unexpected"?

While "unexpected" already implies a lack of anticipation, using "completely" emphasizes the degree of surprise and makes it clear that the event was truly unforeseen.

What's the difference between "was unexpected" and "was completely unexpected"?

The addition of "completely" intensifies the feeling of surprise. "Was unexpected" simply means it wasn't anticipated, while "was completely unexpected" emphasizes that it was a genuine shock.