Intriguing vs You are full of surprises

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Intriguing

Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective

You are full of surprises

Top 2,000 (common)
 IntriguingYou are full of surprises
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈtriːɡɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈtriːɡɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //juː ɑː fʊl əv sərˈpraɪzɪz//🇺🇸 //juː ɑr fʊl əv sərˈpraɪzɪz//
MeaningVery interesting and exciting.You are unexpected in a good way.
ExampleThese discoveries raise intriguing questions.Every time we meet, I find that you are full of surprises!
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelC1-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsbe, sound, find something, extremely, fairly, veryfull of surprises, full of unexpected events, full of wonder
Antonymsboring, uninteresting, mundane-
Common mistakesConfused with 'interesting' – 'intriguing' suggests a deeper level of curiosity., Used to describe mundane things – it should describe something that truly catches attention., Omitting the context – always ensure that what follows 'intriguing' is worth the excitement.Confusing with 'full of surprise' without 'you are'., Using it in a negative context instead of positive.
Usage notesUse 'intriguing' to describe something that captures curiosity, such as a book or a person's behavior. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts, as it may come off as pretentious.This phrase is often used in friendly or appreciative contexts. It's suitable for compliments or light-hearted conversation but might not fit in very formal situations.

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Intriguing
You are full of surprises

Frequently asked questions: Intriguing vs You are full of surprises

What's the difference between Intriguing and You are full of surprises?

Intriguing: Very interesting and exciting. You are full of surprises: You are unexpected in a good way.

Can you show an example of each?

Intriguing: These discoveries raise intriguing questions. You are full of surprises: Every time we meet, I find that you are full of surprises!

Can I use Intriguing and You are full of surprises interchangeably?

Not always. Intriguing and You are full of surprises are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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