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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

I'm flabbergasted
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

I'm flabbergasted!

News & Media

The New York Times

"I'm amazed, I'm grateful, I'm flabbergasted".

News & Media

The New York Times

I'm flabbergasted at this flabby-blasting".

News & Media

The Guardian - Film

I'm flabbergasted by how many people have actually seen it.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I'm flabbergasted how little involvement there is by foreign players".

News & Media

The New York Times

"I'm flabbergasted," he said, noting the lack of traffic.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"I was flabbergasted.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I was flabbergasted," Amy said.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I was flabbergasted," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times - Tech

I am flabbergasted, flabbergasted on a lot of fronts.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

"I was flabbergasted, frankly," he said.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In corporate or professional settings, reserve this phrase for moments of genuine, significant impact to maintain its emotional weight.

Common error

Do not use "flabbergasted" for minor surprises, such as a small change in a meeting time. Overusing such a strong word can make your writing seem hyperbolic or insincere.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

95%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I'm flabbergasted" is a first-person singular present indicative statement. It consists of the subject pronoun "I", the contracted linking verb "'m" (am), and the past participle "flabbergasted" acting as a predicative adjective. As seen in Ludwig, it functions as an intensive emotional marker.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

General Reference

10%

Formal & Business

Less common in

Science

0.1%

Academic

0.1%

Legal

0.1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "I'm flabbergasted" is a vivid and powerful expression used to denote a high degree of surprise. Ludwig examples show that it is a favorite among journalists for capturing strong, visceral reactions in news stories. While it is perfectly acceptable in most writing, its high intensity means it should be used sparingly to ensure it maintains its rhetorical force. It is almost always used to describe a personal emotional state rather than as a neutral observation.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm stunned

Implies a sense of being dazed or momentarily unable to react.

I'm astonished

Offers a slightly more formal alternative for extreme surprise.

I'm dumbfounded

Emphasizes being so surprised that one is unable to speak.

I'm taken aback

Suggests being surprised and perhaps slightly offended or confused.

I'm staggered

Conveys a surprise so great it feels like a physical blow.

I'm amazed

A more common and slightly less intense version of surprise.

I'm shocked

Focuses on the sudden and often negative impact of the surprise.

I'm speechless

Describes the physical result of being flabbergasted.

I'm thunderstruck

A more dramatic and literary way to express sudden shock.

I'm bewildered

Adds a layer of confusion to the feeling of surprise.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I'm flabbergasted"?

You can use synonyms like "<a href="/s/I'm+stunned" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I'm stunned", "<a href="/s/I'm+astonished" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I'm astonished" or "<a href="/s/I'm+dumbfounded" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I'm dumbfounded" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "I'm flabbergasted" formal enough for a business email?

While it is grammatically correct, it is quite emotional. In very formal business contexts, you might prefer "<a href="/s/I'm+surprised" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I'm surprised" or "<a href="/s/I+find+this+unexpected" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I find this unexpected".

What's the difference between "I'm flabbergasted" and "I'm surprised"?

The main difference is intensity. While "<a href="/s/I'm+surprised" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I'm surprised" is a general term, "I'm flabbergasted" implies being so shocked that you are almost rendered silent or unable to process the news immediately.

How do you use "I'm flabbergasted" in a sentence?

It is often followed by 'by' or 'at'. For example: "I'm flabbergasted by the news" or "I'm flabbergasted at his behavior".

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

95%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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I'm flabbergastedGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

I'm flabbergasted
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples