as initially shocked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as initially shocked" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a sense of surprise or disbelief at the beginning of a situation, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "As initially shocked by the news, she struggled to find the right words to respond."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The professor described himself as initially shocked.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Zimmer, who views himself as a moderate, was initially shocked by the corporate titans' decision to put a bulls eye on his back.

Huffington Post

Host Steve Harvey was initially shocked but as the crowed erupted with applause and laughter, he just couldn't contain himself.

Huffington Post

By contrast, Joshua Henry, who stars as one of the boys, Haywood Patterson, was initially shocked by it.

The New York Times

She was initially shocked, she said, but didn't see it as spying – instead interpreting James's actions as a mark of his concern for her wellbeing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the present Japanese Utstein reporting system, a patient initially shocked by a bystander was defined as one in which a public access AED was used and the shock was delivered; if the public access AED was applied but the shock was not delivered, the patient was not included in this category.

Europace

Megan and Steve initially shocked their families with their conversions.

The New York Times - Magazine

Initially shocked at his audacity, the families eventually bought in.

The New York Times

As Dana Thomas recounts in her richly researched and pacey account of the careers of McQueen and John Galliano, the staff in the Givenchy atelier were initially shocked by his "forthrightness".

The Guardian - Books

Simmons told me that the trustees were initially shocked by her proposals.

The New Yorker

"I was initially shocked," Neal told KOIN.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's initial reaction of shock, use more common and grammatically sound phrases such as "initially surprised", "at first shocked", or "taken aback initially" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "as initially shocked" because it sounds unnatural. Instead, opt for clearer and more direct alternatives to ensure effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as initially shocked" functions as an adjectival phrase attempting to modify a noun by describing a state of surprise. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is not grammatically sound and lacks clarity. Better alternatives include "initially surprised" or "taken aback initially".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "as initially shocked" attempts to describe a state of surprise at the beginning of a situation, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect and awkward. Its rarity and questionable grammatical standing suggest avoiding it in favor of clearer alternatives such as "initially surprised" or "taken aback initially". These alternatives not only improve clarity but also align with standard English usage. When aiming to convey initial surprise, prioritizing grammatical correctness and clarity ensures effective communication and avoids potential confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially taken aback

Replaces "shocked" with a more nuanced expression of surprise.

surprised at first

Offers a direct and simple alternative to convey initial surprise.

startled initially

Emphasizes the suddenness of the surprise or shock.

initially surprised

A more conventional word order for expressing initial surprise.

at first surprised

Similar to 'initially surprised' but with a slight shift in emphasis.

taken aback at first

Similar to 'initially taken aback', focusing on the feeling of being surprised.

initially dumbfounded

Conveys a stronger sense of shock and bewilderment.

initially astonished

Uses a more formal term for 'shocked,' indicating great surprise.

at first, in shock

Expresses being in a state of shock from the beginning.

initially, in disbelief

Highlights the initial feeling of not being able to believe something.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "as initially shocked"?

You can use alternatives like "initially surprised", "at first shocked", or "taken aback initially" depending on the context.

Is "as initially shocked" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "as initially shocked" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It is better to rephrase using alternatives like "initially surprised".

How can I use "initially shocked" in a sentence?

You can use "initially shocked" in sentences like "She was initially shocked by the news" or "They were initially shocked by the incident".

What's the difference between "as initially shocked" and "initially shocked"?

"Initially shocked" is a more direct and grammatically sound way to express surprise at the beginning. "As initially shocked" is awkward and should be avoided.