wholly unexpected

USAGE SUMMARY

'wholly unexpected' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation that is surprising and unexpected. For example: "The news of her husband's death came as a wholly unexpected shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The success of The History Boys (2004) was wholly unexpected.

The Guardian

This change in language wasn't wholly unexpected.

The New Yorker

Flanders has taken a wholly unexpected turn.

The New Yorker

Then events take a wholly unexpected turn.

The New York Times - Books

Such a result would not have been wholly unexpected.

The New York Times

Indeed the road to democracy was wholly unexpected.

The New York Times - Science

The ozone decision was jarring because it was wholly unexpected.

The New York Times - Science

This year, McDonald's faced a wholly unexpected challenge.

The New Yorker

Applications, some of them wholly unexpected when the work was done, are noted throughout.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Sputnik and the space age it launched had one other curious, wholly unexpected effect.

The Washington Post

It soon gave way to wild jubilation and tears of unbridled, wholly unexpected joy.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wholly unexpected" to emphasize a high degree of surprise or lack of anticipation. This phrase is effective when describing events or outcomes that deviate significantly from expectations.

Common error

While "wholly unexpected" is grammatically sound, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "surprising" or "unexpected" may be more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly unexpected" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "unexpected". It describes the extent to which something was not anticipated, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wholly unexpected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that intensifies the concept of being unexpected. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is most commonly found in news and media, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. While interchangeable with alternatives like "entirely unforeseen" or "completely unanticipated", "wholly unexpected" carries a degree of emphasis. When using this phrase, be mindful of the level of formality appropriate for your audience and context, avoiding overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely unforeseen

Focuses on the lack of foresight; suggests something could not have been predicted.

completely unanticipated

Emphasizes the total lack of anticipation; implies a surprise element.

totally surprising

Highlights the element of surprise; suggests an unexpected event.

utterly unpredicted

Stresses the inability to predict the event; suggests complete absence of forecasting.

quite astonishing

Conveys a sense of wonder and amazement at the unexpected occurrence.

altogether out of the blue

Implies the event happened suddenly and without warning; emphasizes spontaneity.

thoroughly unlooked-for

Highlights the lack of expectation; suggests an event that was not considered or anticipated.

genuinely startling

Conveys the impact of the unexpected event; suggests a surprising and potentially alarming experience.

absolutely unheralded

Emphasizes the absence of any prior indication or announcement; suggests a completely sudden event.

cleanly unpredictable

Focuses on the inability to predict the event based on available information

FAQs

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

You can use "wholly unexpected" to describe something that was completely surprising or not anticipated. For example, "The outcome of the election was "wholly unexpected"."

What are some alternatives to saying "wholly unexpected"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "entirely unforeseen", "completely unanticipated", or "totally surprising".

Is it better to say "wholly unexpected" or "completely unexpected"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Wholly unexpected" might be perceived as slightly more formal or emphatic than "completely unexpected".

What is the difference between "unexpected" and "wholly unexpected"?

"Unexpected" means something was not anticipated. Adding "wholly" intensifies the degree of surprise, suggesting the event was "utterly unpredicted" and deviated significantly from expectations.