What is surprise? Pronunciation and usage in English

surprise means . Learn how to pronounce and use surprise through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of surprise

surprisenoun/verb

/səˈprʌɪz/
Definition & pronunciation of surprise

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "surprise" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The basic pronunciation is:

  • SUR-prīz

Let's break it down further:

  1. "Sur": This sounds like "sure" – as in, "I'm sure." It's a short, quick syllable.

  2. "prise": This is the trickier part. It's a bit of a French loanword. Here's how to get it:

    • Think "price" but with a soft "r." The "r" in "prise" is very lightly pronounced – almost like you're slightly curling your tongue back. It's not a strong, rolled "r" like you'd hear in Spanish.
    • The vowel sound is like the "ay" in "say" or "day." It’s a high, slightly open vowel.

Putting it together:

Say it slowly: "Sur-prise"

Now, speed it up a little: "SUR-prīz"

Tips for getting it right:

  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear how it's actually said. Search for "how to pronounce surprise" on YouTube and listen to multiple examples. Many audio dictionaries also have pronunciations. (For example, Merriam-Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surprise)
  • Focus on the "r" in "prise": That little, sneaky "r" is what most people struggle with.
  • Don't over-emphasize the "prise" syllable: It's the second syllable, but it shouldn't be dramatically louder than the first.

Would you like me to:

  • Provide a link to an audio example?
  • Break down the sounds even further?

Usage and examples with the word surprise in English

Let's break down how to use the word "surprise" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its different meanings and how to use them:

1. As a Feeling (Noun - the core meaning):

  • Definition: A feeling of sudden pleasure and wonder, caused by something unexpected.
  • Examples:
    • "I was completely surprised by her wedding announcement!" (She caught me off guard.)
    • "He felt a great surprise when he won the lottery." (He was thrilled and shocked.)
    • "She was surprised at his kindness." (She wasn’t expecting it.)
  • Synonyms: astonishment, shock, delight, amazement, wonder

2. An Unexpected Event (Noun):

  • Definition: Something that happens unexpectedly and causes surprise.
  • Examples:
    • "The biggest surprise of the party was the magician." (The magician was a surprise element.)
    • "We were met with a wonderful surprise when we arrived at the hotel." (A pleasant, unexpected thing happened.)
    • "He planned a big surprise birthday party for his wife." (He organized a surprising event.)

3. To Startle Someone (Verb):

  • Definition: To make someone feel surprised, often unexpectedly.
  • Examples:
    • "Don't surprise me like that!" (Don't catch me off guard.)
    • "He surprised her with flowers." (He startled her with a thoughtful gift.)
    • "The loud noise surprised the cat." (The noise made the cat react suddenly.)
  • Phrases:
    • Surprise someone: (As above) "I surprised him with a hug."
    • Surprise someone with: "She surprised him with a trip to Paris."

4. To Be Surprised (Verb - Auxiliary Verb):

  • Definition: To feel surprise. This is often used in questions and negative statements.
  • Examples:
    • "Were you surprised by the news?" (Did you feel surprise?)
    • "I wasn't surprised to see him there." (I didn’t feel surprise.)
    • "She's surprised when she gets good grades." (She feels surprise when she gets good grades.)

5. "Surprise!" (Interjection):

  • Usage: A shout used to introduce a surprise, often in celebrations or games.
  • Example: “Surprise!” everyone shouted as he walked into the room.

Here's a table summarizing the different forms and uses:

Form Part of Speech Meaning(s) Example
Surprise Noun Feeling of surprise, unexpected event “What a surprise!”
Surprise Verb To startle, to make someone feel surprised “I surprised her with a gift."
Was/Were I surprised? Verb (auxiliary) To feel surprise “Was I surprised by the result?”

Tips for Using “Surprise” Effectively:

  • Context is key: The meaning of “surprise” depends heavily on the context of the sentence.
  • Show, don't just tell: Instead of saying “I was surprised,” describe how you felt: “My jaw dropped,” "I gasped," “I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
  • Use synonyms: Vary your language by using synonyms like “astonished,” “amazed,” or “shocked” to avoid repetition.

Could you tell me:

  • What kind of usage are you particularly interested in? (e.g., “How to use surprise in a sentence?” “How to express surprise in different tones?”)
  • Are there any specific scenarios you'd like me to illustrate the use of "surprise" in?

Synonyms for the word surprise

Idioms of the word surprise

surprise, surprise
(ironic, often disapproving)used to show that something is not a surprise to you, as you could easily have predicted that it would happen or be true
  • One of the candidates was the manager's niece, and surprise, surprise, she got the job.
  • Bob turned up half an hour late, surprise surprise.
used when giving somebody a surprise
  • Surprise, surprise! Look who's here!
take somebody by surprise
to happen unexpectedly so that somebody is slightly shocked; to surprise somebody
  • His frankness took her by surprise.
  • The storm took us completely by surprise.
take somebody/something by surprise
to attack or capture somebody/something unexpectedly or without warning
  • The police took the burglars by surprise.

Practice with vocabulary surprise

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The news of the sudden policy change came as a complete ________ to everyone in the department.
  2. The auditors' unannounced visit will certainly ________ the accounting team, as they were not expecting it until next month.
  3. Her detailed market analysis provided profound ________ into potential consumer trends, guiding our strategic decisions.
  4. Despite the early challenges, the project team maintained a high level of ________ throughout the demanding development phase.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The committee's decision to approve the radical proposal was met with considerable ________ among the veteran members, who expected more traditional approaches. A. surprise B. astonishment C. anticipation D. indifference E. wonder
  2. Management's sudden change of direction seemed to ________ many employees, leaving them uncertain about their next steps. A. surprise B. bewilder C. astonish D. inform E. predict
  3. He managed to finish the complex report ahead of schedule, much to everyone's ________ given the tight deadline and extensive data analysis required. A. surprise B. expectation C. prediction D. assumption
  4. The project's swift completion, three weeks ahead of the projected timeline, was truly ________ and exceeded all initial forecasts. A. remarkable B. expected C. anticipated D. commonplace E. astounding
  5. During the crisis, her calm and collected demeanor was a source of great ________ to the entire team, helping to stabilize the situation. A. reassurance B. bewilderment C. confusion D. dismay E. consternation

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sudden announcement of the merger took everyone off guard.
    • (Rewrite using a form of "surprise")
  2. We did not expect him to resign, so his departure was quite unexpected.
    • (Rewrite using a form of "surprise")
  3. The unexpected market shift required a rapid adjustment to our strategy.
    • (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word for "unexpected," avoiding "surprise")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. surprise
  2. surprise
  3. insight
  4. resilience

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A. surprise, B. astonishment, E. wonder
  2. A. surprise, B. bewilder, C. astonish
  3. A. surprise
  4. A. remarkable, E. astounding
  5. A. reassurance

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sudden announcement of the merger was a complete surprise to everyone. OR Everyone was surprised by the sudden announcement of the merger.
  2. His resignation was quite a surprise, as we did not expect it. OR We were quite surprised by his resignation, as we did not expect it.
  3. The unforeseen market shift required a rapid adjustment to our strategy.

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