English Expressions for Narrating an Unexpected Event or Fact

*Surprises happen anytime and anywhere. They are good memories and conversational topics.

JUMPSTARTER: Do you like surprises? Why or why not?

PATTERN 11: (a common event) Surprisingly/Next thing you know/To my surprise/ Unexpectedly, (a surprise result)

I opened the box. Surprisingly/Next thing you know/To my surprise/ Unexpectedly, I found a diamond ring.

(I opened the box. Then I was surprised when I found a diamond ring.)

PATTERN 12: (an unexpected event/fact) I didn’t see it coming./It took me by surprise.

When I was 18, my parents divorced. I didn’t see it coming./It took me by surprise.

(When I was 18, my parents divorced. I didn’t expect it to happen.)

PATTERN 13: (a common fact/event) Unbeknownst to me,/ Little did I know that (a surprise fact)

He said he was a lawyer. Unbeknownst to me,/ Little did I know that he’s a liar.

(He said he was a lawyer. I didn’t know that he’s a liar.)

PATTERN 14: Never did I dream before that (unexpected event)

Never did I dream before that I will become a billionaire.

(I never thought that I will become a billionaire.)

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SPEAKING GAMBIT: Suspense is done by starting with a normal statement before revealing the surprise.___

DISCUSSION TASKS:

Paraphrase the following statements. Then share an experience similar to the situations.

1.      When I was young, I was just a poor little boy in the countryside. Now, I’m earning a lot of money in the city.

2.      I was criticizing somebody. I didn’t know that that person was listening.

3.      A crowd was making noise. When I went to check it, I was surprised. A very famous celebrity was there.

4.      I went to the grocery store. Then, I met a friend I haven’t seen for many years.

5.      It was a normal day. I went to work. Then, I was surprised. I was fired.

6.      I met someone who looked like a gangster. I was surprised when I discovered that he is very religious.

7.      It was a quiet night. I was driving along the highway. Then, I bumped into another car.

8.      I bought an expensive item. Then, I lost it after few days.

9.      I was just walking along the road when I found a wallet filled with money.

10.  I cracked a joke in front of many people. I didn’t know that someone will be offended.

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CONCLUDER: An effective narration is done by comparing the situation before and after the surprise happened.

HOMEWORK

Write a short paragraph about a surprise event that you had or a surprise fact you discovered. (RECOMMENDED VOCABULARIES:   revelation, shocker, absurd, speechless, unthinkable)