I was stunned to learn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was stunned to learn" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing surprise or shock upon discovering new information. Example: "I was stunned to learn that the company had been operating at a loss for the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"I was stunned to learn that the going rate is $5 these days.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was stunned to learn these guys were still in the Marines," Mabus told me.

The New Yorker

New York City As a longtime opera buff and a subscriber to the Met, I was stunned to learn the extent of the institution's financial problems.

The New Yorker

"I was stunned to learn of the accusations hurled at my religious and moral beliefs especially that they originated from individuals I least expected to go down that route," she said.

The Guardian

Like the mother and daughter in the photograph accompanying your article on the Metropolis Fencing club, "The Lease Is Mightier Than the Sword" (Dec. 14), I was stunned to learn that the club had closed.

The New York Times

The couple also learned that the bridegroom's grandparents are neighbors of the bride's parents and live less than a quarter mile apart in Naples, Fla. "I was stunned to learn we had so many things in common," Ms. Akhtar said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

My wife Melinda and I were stunned to learn that 11 million children die every year from preventable causes.

Unicef

I -- like most Americans -- was stunned to learn that this program had been secretly operating for years in what I and many others view to have been clear violation of U.S. law.

Huffington Post

Ms. Morales was stunned to learn that he was in regular classes of 35.

The New York Times

Ms. Mulholland was stunned to learn that the book was not finished.

The New York Times

Eberspacher said he was stunned to learn he had won the Marsh O'Neill Award.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was stunned to learn" to express genuine surprise, especially when the information contradicts your prior understanding or expectations. It conveys a stronger sense of shock than simply saying "I learned".

Common error

Avoid using "I was stunned to learn" in everyday conversations about trivial matters. It's best reserved for situations where you experienced a significant emotional impact or a genuine shock.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was stunned to learn" functions as a declarative statement expressing the speaker's surprise or astonishment upon receiving new information. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and conveys a strong emotional response.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was stunned to learn" is a grammatically sound and effective way to communicate surprise or astonishment upon discovering new information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While suitable for various contexts, including news reporting, personal narratives, and professional communication, it's best reserved for situations involving genuine shock or unexpected revelations. Alternatives like "I was shocked to discover" or "I was amazed to find out" can offer nuanced variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was shocked to discover

Replaces "stunned" with "shocked" and "learn" with "discover", emphasizing a strong negative surprise.

I was amazed to find out

Substitutes "stunned" with "amazed" and "learn" with "find out", highlighting a sense of wonder alongside the surprise.

I couldn't believe it when I heard

Changes the structure to focus on disbelief and the act of hearing the information.

It came as a complete surprise to me that

Inverts the sentence structure to emphasize the unexpected nature of the information.

To my astonishment, I found out that

Adds a formal tone using "astonishment" and restructures the sentence.

I was taken aback to learn

Replaces "stunned" with "taken aback", indicating a feeling of being surprised and slightly disconcerted.

I never expected to hear that

Focuses on the lack of anticipation and the unexpected nature of the information.

It blew my mind when I learned

Uses a more informal and emphatic expression to convey strong surprise.

The news completely floored me

Emphasizes the overwhelming impact of the news, replacing the focus on learning.

I found it astonishing that

Shifts the focus to the astonishing nature of the information itself.

FAQs

What's a less dramatic way to say "I was stunned to learn"?

If you want to express surprise without the strong emotional impact, you could use phrases like "I was surprised to learn" or "I didn't realize that".

Can I use "I was stunned to learn" in formal writing?

Yes, "I was stunned to learn" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when conveying a significant revelation or unexpected information. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and context of your piece. A more formal alternative could be "To my astonishment, I found out that".

What's the difference between "I was stunned to learn" and "I was shocked to learn"?

While both phrases express surprise, "I was shocked to discover" typically implies a more negative or disturbing surprise, whereas "I was stunned to learn" can indicate a broader range of unexpected or surprising information, not necessarily negative.

How can I make the phrase "I was stunned to learn" more impactful?

To increase impact, consider adding specific details about what you learned and why it was so surprising. For example, "I was stunned to learn the extent of the company's financial losses, which contradicted all previous reports."