I was a bit shaken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was a bit shaken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of being disturbed or unsettled by an event or situation. Example: "After hearing the news of the accident, I was a bit shaken and needed some time to process it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Yes, I was a bit shaken, but it is out of our control so you just hand over to the experts to do their business," he said.

Independent

"I was a bit shaken up, but that's cricket," Warner said.

BBC

I have to tell you that I was a bit shaken by the question.

Huffington Post

Although I was a bit shaken lying in my bed afterwards, having a quiet cry, it was more concerning how little I thought of it later on, as if – like muscle memory – my body had already learnt to be encroached on.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I'm a bit shaken up".

The Guardian

Student witnesses said the lecturer, Robin Holt, was "a bit shaken" and that subsequent classes were delayed because of the emergency.

Independent

But he was a bit shaken once he moved in and started to meet his neighbors while dog-walking.

The New York Times

A TfL spokesman said the accident was due to "human error" and that while the driver was not injured, he was "a bit shaken up".

Independent

The conventional wisdom that had "Argo," "Lincoln" and "Silver Linings Playbook" at the top of the best-picture heap was a bit shaken with the arrival of two late entrants to the field, "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Les Misérables".

The New York Times

Ms. Kalin-Casey, who manages an apartment building here with her husband, John Casey, was a bit shaken when she tried a new feature in Google's map service called Street View.

The New York Times - Tech

One neighbour told the Nine Network that the cleaner who made the discovery was "a bit shaken and we were, obviously, too".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was a bit shaken" to express a mild to moderate feeling of being disturbed or unsettled after an event. It's suitable for describing personal reactions without exaggerating the emotional impact.

Common error

Avoid using "I was a bit shaken" when a stronger emotional reaction is warranted. If the event caused significant distress or trauma, consider using more descriptive and impactful language to accurately convey your feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was a bit shaken" functions as a statement expressing a personal feeling of mild disturbance or unsettlement. It commonly serves as a subjective reaction to an event or situation, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was a bit shaken" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a mild feeling of disturbance or unsettlement following an event. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the intensity of the experience when choosing this phrase. If the emotional impact was more significant, alternative expressions should be considered. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is valid and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was slightly disturbed

Replaces "shaken" with a synonym indicating a milder emotional impact.

I felt somewhat unsettled

Uses "unsettled" to convey a similar feeling of unease or disturbance.

I was a little rattled

Employs "rattled" for a more informal expression of being shaken.

I was somewhat unnerved

Substitutes "shaken" with "unnerved", suggesting a loss of composure.

I was a bit disconcerted

Replaces "shaken" with "disconcerted" to indicate a feeling of confusion or disorientation.

I found myself slightly disturbed

Adds a reflexive element, emphasizing the speaker's experience of disturbance.

I experienced a mild shock

Conveys a more clinical sense of sudden emotional impact.

I was taken aback

Highlights the surprise aspect of the experience.

I was a little perturbed

Perturbed suggests a slightly more formal and perhaps less intense reaction.

I felt a tremor of unease

Uses metaphorical language to describe a subtle feeling of unease.

FAQs

How can I use "I was a bit shaken" in a sentence?

You can use "I was a bit shaken" to describe feeling unsettled after an unexpected event, for example: "After the near miss on the road, I was a bit shaken." It indicates a mild emotional disturbance.

What can I say instead of "I was a bit shaken"?

You can use alternatives like "I was slightly disturbed", "I felt somewhat unsettled", or "I was a little rattled" depending on the specific context and the degree of disturbance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am a bit shaken"?

Yes, "I am a bit shaken" is grammatically correct, but it implies the feeling is current. "I was a bit shaken" refers to a past event and the feeling experienced at that time.

What's the difference between "I was a bit shaken" and "I was severely shaken"?

"I was a bit shaken" indicates a mild emotional disturbance, while "I was severely shaken" implies a much stronger emotional impact. The choice depends on the intensity of the experience and your reaction to it.