N2 — outside your level filter

ことに

ことにkoto niN2neutral

be troubled + (past) + to my surprise/regret/delight — a feeling word first, then what happened

komatta koto ni

to my surprise/regret/delight — a feeling word first, then what happened

meaning: to my surprise/regret/delight — a feeling word first, then what happened

驚おどろいたことに、彼かれは試験しけんに一発いっぱつで合格ごうかくした。

odoroita koto ni, kare wa shiken ni ippatsu de goukaku shita.

To my surprise, he passed the exam on his very first try. neutral

意外いがいなことに、あいつ、ちゃんと約束やくそく守まもったんだよ。

igai na koto ni, aitsu, chanto yakusoku mamotta n da yo.

Surprisingly, that guy actually kept his promise! casual

All examples4

to my surprise/regret/delight — marks what follows as unexpected or notable

驚おどろいたことに、彼かれは試験しけんに一発いっぱつで合格ごうかくした。
odoroita koto ni, kare wa shiken ni ippatsu de goukaku shita.
To my surprise, he passed the exam on his very first try. neutral
意外いがいなことに、あいつ、ちゃんと約束やくそく守まもったんだよ。
igai na koto ni, aitsu, chanto yakusoku mamotta n da yo.
Surprisingly, that guy actually kept his promise! casual
嬉うれしいことに、雨あめがやんで、無事ぶじに運動会うんどうかいが行おこなわれた。
ureshii koto ni, ame ga yande, buji ni undoukai ga okonawareta.
Happily, the rain let up and the sports day went ahead without a hitch. neutral
幸さいわいなことに、大おおきな被害ひがいはございませんでした。
saiwai na koto ni, ooki na higai wa gozaimasen deshita.
Fortunately, there was no major damage. formal