What is surprisingly? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of surprisingly

surprisinglyadverb

/səˈprʌɪzɪŋli/
Definition & pronunciation of surprisingly

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

1. Syllables: It's generally broken down into three syllables:

  • Sur - (Like the word "sure")
  • pris - (Rhymes with "kiss")
  • ingly - (Rhymes with "lingering")

2. Detailed Pronunciation:

  • "Sur": This is a short, quick "uh" sound. Think of it like the beginning of "sure." (Pronounced: /sər/)
  • "pris": This is where it gets tricky. It’s a slightly reduced vowel sound. The “i” is almost silent. Picture holding your mouth slightly as if you’re about to say “kiss,” but removing the sound. (Pronounced: /prɪs/) – Emphasis on the 'r' sound
  • "ingly": This is pronounced like “lingering,” with a "g" sound at the end. (Pronounced: /ɪŋgli/)

3. Combined:

Putting it all together, you get: ˈsɜːr prɪsɪŋli (This is using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA - a system for representing sounds. Don't worry about learning it fully, it's just a helpful guide.)

4. A more conversational breakdown (easier for beginners):

"Sur-prise-ingly" – Say it with a slight pause between the syllables. Focus on keeping the "i" in "pris" soft and almost silent, and emphasizing the "g" at the end of "ingly."

Resources to Help:

Tips for Practice:

  • Listen repeatedly: The Forvo link is super helpful. Listen to it several times and try to mimic the sounds.
  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying it and compare it to the native speaker pronunciation.
  • Break it down: Practice each syllable separately before putting them together.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Focus on a specific part of the word (e.g., just the "pris" syllable)?

Usage and examples with the word surprisingly in English

Let's break down how to use "surprisingly" effectively in English. It's a versatile word that adds nuance to your sentences, indicating a contrast between what you expected and what actually happened.

1. Basic Usage: Expressing Unexpectedness

The most common use of "surprisingly" is to highlight that something happened or was revealed in a way you didn't anticipate.

  • Example: "He passed the exam surprisingly well. I thought he wasn't prepared." (You didn't expect him to do so well.)
  • Example: "The weather was surprisingly sunny after the forecast predicted rain." (The forecast was wrong; the sun appeared unexpectedly.)
  • Example: "I found a twenty-dollar bill in my pocket – surprisingly!" (You weren't expecting to find money.)

2. Placement within the Sentence

  • At the beginning (followed by a comma): This is very common and emphasizes the surprise.
    • "Surprisingly, the movie was a huge success."
  • In the middle of the sentence (often with "it"):
    • "The results were surprisingly good." (Here, "it" refers to the results.)
    • "He was surprisingly calm after the accident." ( “He” refers to the person)
  • At the end (often with "indeed"): This is less common but can add a bit of emphasis.
    • “The cake was delicious, surprisingly.”

3. Using “Surprisingly” with Adjectives and Adverbs

"Surprisingly" often modifies an adjective or adverb, amplifying the degree of surprise.

  • Surprisingly good: (Even better than expected)
  • Surprisingly quickly: (Faster than anticipated)
  • Surprisingly beautiful: (More beautiful than imagined)
  • Surprisingly easy: (Less challenging than thought)

4. Alternatives to “Surprisingly” (When you want a slightly different feel)

While “surprisingly” is great, here are some alternatives that might work better in certain contexts:

  • Unexpectedly: Similar meaning, often used in formal writing.
  • Amazingly: Emphasizes a strong feeling of surprise and delight.
  • To my surprise: More conversational, emphasizes your personal reaction.
  • Incredibly: Highlights the extent of the surprise.
  • Remarkably: Suggests something noteworthy and unexpected.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Overuse: Don't use "surprisingly" in every sentence. It can become repetitive. Choose the moments where it genuinely adds to your expression.
  • Unnecessary Use: Sometimes, the surprise is clear from the context and you don't need the word.

Here's a table summarizing the usage:

Usage Example Explanation
Basic Surprise "Surprisingly, she won the lottery." Highlights an unexpected event.
Modifying Adjective "The performance was surprisingly good." Strengthens the description of 'good'.
With "it" "It was surprisingly expensive." Refers back to the price.
Starting Sentence "Surprisingly, he enjoyed the hike." Creates immediate emphasis on the surprise.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you doing? (e.g., informal conversation, essay, report?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you’re struggling with?

Synonyms for the word surprisingly

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