Surprising meaning in English
Learn how to use Surprising correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
surprising: amazing, extraordinary, remarkable, unexpected
I find it surprising that they didn't come tonight. We all expected them to come.
What is even more surprising is that he didn't even say hello. It's astonishing, don't you think?
surprisingly: amazingly, extraordinarily, remarkably, unexpectedly
This sofa is surprisingly cheap. I expected it to be a lot more expensive.
Susie is surprisingly hard-working. It's amazing how hard she works these days.
Surprisingly enough, Philip didn't try to eat all the cake at this year's Christmas party. Everyone was amazed as he usually does it.
to surprise: to amaze, to astonish, to shock, to startle
Examples
- "Voiceover : Meanwhile Mitch has some surprising news of his own."
- "In a surprising announcement yesterday, a spokesman for the tiny island nation of Zirconda expressed the country's desire to join the European Union as a member country sometime in the next decade."
- "I'm not sure what's more surprising, the fact that you're having trouble doing your job, or that you're offering to pay for dinner!"
- "It's just that I've noticed a surprising trend: TigerLily isn't being bought by Rebecca."
- "Although real medicine is also surprisingly effective."
- "Two months ago, Horatio and I were cruelly imprisoned in the abhorrent, but surprisingly spacious kitchen of a 4-star restaurant."
- "Philip : Surprisingly, no."
- "In a surprising move, the US government announced this morning that Christmas day, normally scheduled for 25th of December, will be delayed for one week until the 31st."
- "Thank you, BrianBot, your metallic hands are surprisingly tender."
Exercise 1
Frankly I'm ready for a change of scenery.
This means: I'm ready .
This means: I'm ready .
Frankly I'm ready for a change of scenery.
This means: Honestly 1 I'm ready to leave the office for a bit 2.
This means: Honestly 1 I'm ready to leave the office for a bit 2.
1 Honestly: The term "frankly" is synonymous with "honestly" or "truthfully". Example: Frankly, I think the only solution is to fire the whole department. The term "frankly" is used to add emphasis to a statement.
1 Obviously: The term "obviously" expresses that something is easily recognizable or evident. Example: Obviously, he can't play basketball because his leg is broken. "Obviously" does not share a similar meaning with "frankly".
1 By the way: The expression "by the way" expresses that someone wants to provide additional or extra information. Example: By the way, have you heard that Kim is pregnant with Bill's child? "By the way" does not share a similar meaning with "frankly".
1 Surprisingly: The term "surprisingly" expresses that something is surprising or unexpected. Example: Surprisingly, my manager wasn't upset that I set off the fire alarm. "Surprisingly" does not share a similar meaning with "frankly".
2 to leave the office for a bit: To be "ready for a change of scenery" expresses that someone is ready for a change in their environment or surroundings. Example: After a week in the office basement organizing files I was ready for a change of scenery.
2 to change the office decoration: Changing the office decoration is changing the decor of the office: furniture, lights, wall color, etc. Miss Stake wants to get out of the office, not change the decoration inside the office.
2 to get this over with: The expression "to get something over with" expresses that someone wants to finish something quickly. Example: I hate the dentist. I just want to get my appointments over with as soon as possible. Miss Stake's expression "I'm ready for a change of scenery" indicates that she wants to get out of the office, not finish the review with Susie quickly.
2 for a vacation: Someone ready "for a vacation" is ready for a holiday, or ready to stop working for awhile. Example: After three years of work, we were ready for a vacation. Miss Stake's expression "I'm ready for change of scenery" indicates that she wants to get out of the office, not take a vacation.
Exercise 2
'Wendy: It's a worrying trend'. This could also be expressed as: It's a/an .
'Wendy: It's a worrying trend'. This could also be expressed as: It's a/an disturbing 1 tendency 2.
1 disturbing: 'Disturbing' is the best definition of 'worrying'. If something 'worries' us, it 'disturbs' or 'concerns' us. Here's another example: 'I've received some worrying news about your father. He's in hospital'.
1 interesting: The term 'interesting' describes something 'fascinating' or 'intriguing'. This is not the best choice here.
1 surprising: The term 'surprising' describes something 'unexpected' or 'shocking'. This is not the best choice here.
1 cautious: The term 'cautious' describes someone 'prudent' or 'who acts with great care'. This is not the best choice here.
2 tendency: 'Tendency' is the correct answer here. A 'trend' is a 'tendency', 'inclination', or 'fashion'. This term can be used to describe both serious movements ('This graph shows the trends in political values over the past year') and less serious fads ('The latest trend is orange cardigans'). Note the related adjective 'trendy', meaning 'fashionable': 'That's a very trendy hat; did you buy it recently?'.
2 habit: A 'habit' is a 'custom' or 'tradition': something we do regularly or habitually. This does not define 'trend'.
2 subject: A 'subject' is a 'topic' or 'matter'. This does not define 'trend'.
2 news: It is grammatically incorrect to say 'a news'. We have to say 'a piece a news' or 'some news'. Moreover, 'trend' does not share a similar meaning with 'trend'.
Exercise 3
"The gallery is a striking piece of modern architecture."
In this context, "striking" is synonymous with "".
"The three-storey building will primarily serve as an exhibition space."
A "three-storey" building has three .
"The company... that moves forward at a steady pace."
A "steady (pace)" refers to a/an speed.
In this context, "striking" is synonymous with "".
"The three-storey building will primarily serve as an exhibition space."
A "three-storey" building has three .
"The company... that moves forward at a steady pace."
A "steady (pace)" refers to a/an speed.
"The gallery is a striking piece of modern architecture."
In this context, "striking" is synonymous with "remarkable 1".
"The three-storey building will primarily serve as an exhibition space."
A "three-storey" building has three floors 2.
"The company... that moves forward at a steady pace."
A "steady (pace)" refers to a/an regular 3 speed.
In this context, "striking" is synonymous with "remarkable 1".
"The three-storey building will primarily serve as an exhibition space."
A "three-storey" building has three floors 2.
"The company... that moves forward at a steady pace."
A "steady (pace)" refers to a/an regular 3 speed.
1 remarkable: This is the correct answer. As an adjective, "striking" shares a similar meaning with "noteworthy" or "remarkable". Example: Could you give me some sunglasses, that pink shirt you are wearing is very striking. Someone who has "striking looks" is considered to be beautiful or handsome.
1 expensive: This is incorrect. "Striking" does not share the same meaning as expensive. Lindsay thinks that the building has a noticeable design, she does not mention how much it costs.
1 large: This is incorrect. "Striking" does not share the same meaning as large. Lindsay thinks that the building has a noticeable design, not an large one.
1 original: This is incorrect. "Striking" does not share the same meaning as original. Lindsay thinks that the building has a notable design, but not necessarily an original one.
2 floors: This is the correct answer. A "story (of a building)", or "storey" in British English, is synonymous with "floor" or "level". Lindsay says that the building has three floors. Other example: My flat is situated on the top storey, I can see the whole city.
2 wings: This is incorrect. In architecture, the "wing (of a building)" is the portion of the building situated to the side of the main section. Example: The president's offices are situated on the west wing of the White House.
2 rooms: This is incorrect. A "storey" is not synonymous with a "room". A "room", located within a building or home, is an area with walls, a ceiling and a floor.
2 sections: This is incorrect. The "sections" of a building are the different parts of it, the term is not synonymous with "storey".
3 regular: This is the correct answer. "Steady" is an adjective to describe something regular, reliable or continuous. For example: There's been a steady increase in sales this year, with no fluctuations at all. A "steady pace" is a speed which is consistent and regular.
3 accelerated: This is incorrect. "Steady" does not share a similar meaning with "accelerated".
3 slow: This is incorrect. "Steady" does not share a similar meaning with "slow". To do something "in slow motion" is to do it at a very reduced speed.
3 surprising: This is incorrect. "Steady" does not share a similar meaning with "surprising". A "surprising (story)" is one which is "remarkable" or "unexpected". Example: I find it very surprising that this sofa is so cheap, it looks very expensive.
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