asked in surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asked in surprise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is asking a question with a sense of astonishment or disbelief. Example: "She asked in surprise why he hadn't mentioned the meeting earlier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"A monkey?" Mizuki asked in surprise.

The New Yorker

"Walking?" one of the anglers asked in surprise.

The Guardian - Books

But a couple of days later, while attempting to say Mass, he had an onset of faintness and even after three attempts was unable to go through with the service, and the next morning the rector, who had examined Father Kleinsorge's apparently negligible but unhealed cuts daily, asked in surprise, "What have you done to your wounds?" They had suddenly opened wider and were swollen and inflamed.

The New Yorker

"Cholera?" he asked in surprise.

Huffington Post

"Is that so?" Kinte asked in surprise.

Vice

I don't know how many friends have visited me and I have taken them to Joaquin Miller Park, Jack London Square or Lake Merritt and they have asked in surprise, "Wait, this is Oakland?" The parks are simply gorgeous; the city has so many beautiful green spaces.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"What are they doing there?" he recalls asking in surprise.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"What about a house?" Nabi Buksh Baloch asks in surprise.

Unicef

("Beer? Have I become that predictable?" Norm occasionally asked, in feigned surprise).

The New Yorker

("Beer? Have I become that predictable?" Norm occasionally asked, in feigned surprise). An outsider once arrived at the bar and took his stool.

The New Yorker

"We rub our ears after the fact," Nietzsche wrote, "and ask in complete surprise and embarrassment, 'What just happened?,' or even, 'Who are we really?' " "A Christmas Tale," which follows the extended Vuillard family through a few days and several lifetimes' worth of hectic emotional confusion, induces a similar state of astonishment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "asked in surprise" to clearly convey that a question is being posed with an element of astonishment or disbelief. It helps to illustrate the speaker's emotional state and reaction to new or unexpected information.

Common error

Avoid using "asked in surprise" when a milder form of curiosity or inquiry is intended. Overusing it can dilute the impact of genuine surprise, so reserve it for situations where the astonishment is significant. Consider /s/asked+in+curiosity or /s/asked+in+inquiry instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asked in surprise" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb 'asked'. It indicates the manner in which the question was posed, adding detail about the speaker's emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "asked in surprise" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for describing a question posed with astonishment. While relatively uncommon, it is appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly news and media, as supported by Ludwig AI. Remember to use this phrase when you specifically want to highlight the speaker's surprise, and consider alternatives when a milder form of inquiry is intended. It's a valuable tool for adding emotional depth and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inquired with surprise

Replaces "asked" with a more formal synonym, "inquired", maintaining the sense of astonishment.

questioned with astonishment

Substitutes "asked" with "questioned" and "surprise" with "astonishment", amplifying the feeling of shock.

expressed surprise in the question

Rephrases to highlight the surprise being conveyed through the manner of asking.

voiced a surprised query

Uses "query" instead of "question" to keep it short, and changes the structure to focus on the vocal expression.

reacted with a surprised question

Focuses on the reaction of surprise leading to the question.

demanded in disbelief

Emphasizes a stronger sense of disbelief than simple surprise, altering the emotional tone.

exclaimed in astonishment

Shifts from a question to an exclamation, indicating a strong expression of surprise.

inquired with raised eyebrows

Adds a visual cue to the inquiry, indicating surprise through body language.

said in a tone of surprise

Focuses on the tone of the question, rather than the act of asking itself.

wondered with amazement

Changes the action to "wondered," suggesting a more contemplative surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "asked in surprise" in a sentence?

You can use "asked in surprise" to describe someone's reaction when questioning something unexpected. For instance, "She /s/asked+in+surprise why the event was canceled" or "He /s/asked+in+surprise if that was the only option available".

What are some alternatives to "asked in surprise"?

Some alternatives include "inquired with surprise", "questioned with astonishment", or "expressed surprise in the question", which can add variety to your writing.

Is it correct to say "said in surprise" instead of "asked in surprise"?

"Asked in surprise" is used when a question is posed with surprise. "Said in surprise", on the other hand, is used when a statement is made with surprise. Choose the one that matches the context of the sentence.

What's the difference between "asked in surprise" and "asked with curiosity"?

"Asked in surprise" indicates a question born out of astonishment or disbelief, while "asked with curiosity" implies a question stemming from a desire to learn or understand something. The former reflects shock, the latter, interest.