surprised/surprise/surprising face

[vkhu]

There was a........ look on his face.

A. surprised
B. surprise
C. surprising

A is the answer here but how com I can't choose B? I hear people saying "surprise attack" all the time. Also, could you elaborate the difference between "surprise", "surprised" and "surprising"? I know 'surprising" is wrong in this case but I can't figure out why.

 

[Chicken Sandwich]

NOT A TEACHER

Surprised and surprising are both possible because both are adjectives that can describe the look. However, there is a difference in meaning. Look up "surprising" and "surprised" to see what I mean. Surprise would be incorrect because it's not an adjective.

 

[5jj]

For more on 'surprise attack' see the first thread in the 'Similar Threads' list below.