astonished at

USAGE SUMMARY

"astonished at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are surprised or amazed by something. For example, "I was astonished at the complexity of the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She is "astonished at our naïveté".

The Economist

"I'm astonished at their silence," he said.

The New York Times

Last year we were astonished at the damage.

Independent

They were astonished at what they found.

The Guardian - Sport

I was astonished at the Canadian's... what?

The New York Times - Magazine

I remember being astonished at this news.

The Guardian - Arts

We were astonished at the results.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bran is astonished at the beauty of the waters;.

The New Yorker

I've been astonished at the reaction to my book.

The Guardian - Books

Residents here were astonished at the events of the weekend.

The New York Times

You say you were astonished at M's appointment.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astonished at" to express a strong feeling of surprise or amazement. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing a slightly more elevated tone than "surprised by".

Common error

Avoid using "astonished by" or "astonished with" as alternatives to "astonished at". While "astonished by" is sometimes used, "astonished at" is the more standard and widely accepted form.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "astonished at" is as a predicate adjective phrase expressing a state of surprise or amazement directed towards a specific cause or object. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Astonished at" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase for expressing a strong feeling of surprise or amazement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's versatile, fitting into both formal and informal contexts, though it carries a slightly more elevated tone than simpler alternatives. The phrase commonly appears in News & Media sources, and while synonyms like "amazed by" or "stunned by" exist, it's crucial to maintain the correct preposition "at" to avoid grammatical errors. When aiming to convey a strong sense of wonder or disbelief, "astonished at" is a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amazed by

Similar to "surprised by", but "amazed" suggests a higher degree of wonder.

surprised by

Replaces "astonished" with a more common synonym, "surprised", altering the intensity of the emotion.

stunned by

"Stunned" implies a state of shock or disbelief in addition to surprise.

flabbergasted by

Emphasizes extreme surprise and bewilderment.

taken aback by

Suggests a sudden and often unpleasant surprise.

blown away by

Informal expression meaning greatly impressed or overwhelmed.

bowled over by

An idiomatic expression that conveys being greatly impressed or surprised.

incredulous of

Indicates disbelief or skepticism regarding something.

awestruck by

Highlights a feeling of reverence and wonder.

startled by

Implies a sudden and often involuntary reaction to something unexpected.

FAQs

How can I use "astonished at" in a sentence?

You can use "astonished at" to express a strong feeling of surprise or amazement about something. For example, "I was astonished at the beauty of the landscape."

What's the difference between "astonished at" and "surprised by"?

While both phrases convey a sense of surprise, "astonished at" suggests a stronger and more profound level of amazement than "surprised by". "Astonished" implies a greater degree of wonder and disbelief.

Are there any synonyms for "astonished at" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "amazed by", "stunned by", or "flabbergasted by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "astonished at" considered formal or informal?

"Astonished at" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is generally considered slightly more elevated and sophisticated than more common alternatives like "surprised at" or "amazed at".