absolutely surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

"absolutely surprised" is a correct expression in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a feeling of great surprise or disbelief in a situation. For example, "I was absolutely surprised at the news that I had won the lottery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

He is absolutely surprised, to say the least, with the way this has been handled".

The New York Times

Yes, I was absolutely surprised to learn that there were more of us out in the world.

The New Yorker

"I'm absolutely surprised," said Südhof, 57, who was in the remote town of Baeza in Spain to attend a conference and give a lecture.

Stanford University

"I was absolutely surprised," Adam Johnson says emphatically, to the admittedly indelicate question of whether his win on Wednesday night at the National Book awards was a little unexpected.

The Guardian - Books

"I was absolutely surprised when I saw (NASCAR's announced positive).

Los Angeles Times

I think he was absolutely surprised by the atmosphere of the room".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

I absolutely was surprised".

The Guardian - Film

I expected that response from blacks, but the number of whites who seemed to think that change was absolutely imperative surprised me".

The New York Times

No one should have been too surprised: absolutely nothing on any other channel has beaten an edition of "Idol" in almost six years.

The New York Times - Sports

I was absolutely hysterical and surprised, I didn't understand what I did".

Vice

"I'm absolutely ecstatic and extremely surprised," Watson, 24, told BBC Sport.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely surprised" to emphasize a strong feeling of astonishment or disbelief, making it clear that the surprise was significant.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely surprised" in highly formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or sophisticated term might be more appropriate. Consider using "thoroughly astonished" or "utterly amazed" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely surprised" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a subject to express a state of significant astonishment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard expression and it is used to amplify the feeling of surprise.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolutely surprised" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase to express a strong feeling of astonishment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable and useful across various contexts, although may be less appropriate for highly formal writing. It is frequently found in News & Media and academic contexts. When you want to express that you were more than just "surprised", this emphatic construction serves to amplify the intensity of the feeling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely astonished

Emphasizes the feeling of utter amazement and disbelief.

utterly amazed

Highlights the feeling of extreme wonder and awe.

totally shocked

Focuses on the element of unexpectedness and potential disbelief.

genuinely startled

Highlights the feeling of being caught off guard.

incredibly impressed

Shifts the focus to admiration and positive surprise.

taken aback

Focuses on a feeling of mild shock or bewilderment.

caught off guard

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event.

caught by surprise

General term for being unexpectedly surprised.

mildly astonished

Indicates a lower level of surprise than the original phrase.

somewhat surprised

Indicates a reduced level of surprise compared to "absolutely surprised".

FAQs

How can I use "absolutely surprised" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely surprised" to express a strong feeling of surprise. For example, "I was "absolutely surprised" when I found out I had won the contest."

What are some alternatives to "absolutely surprised"?

Alternatives to "absolutely surprised" include "completely astonished", "utterly amazed", or "totally shocked", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "absolutely surprised" or "very surprised"?

"Absolutely surprised" implies a stronger degree of surprise than "very surprised". Use "absolutely surprised" when you want to emphasize the intensity of your astonishment.

Is "absolutely surprised" a formal or informal expression?

"Absolutely surprised" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "thoroughly astonished".