astonished by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "astonished by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing surprise or amazement at something or someone. Example: "She was astonished by the breathtaking view from the mountaintop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Arts

Film

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I'm astonished by this.

The Guardian

Schwartz was astonished by what happened.

The New York Times

She was astonished by the nomination.

Independent

"We're just astonished by the turnout".

The New York Times

The minister was astonished by the documents.

The New Yorker

We were astonished by this".

The New York Times

Landau was astonished by Johnson's artistic drive.

The New Yorker

Friends are astonished by my dilemma.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is astonished by the question.

The Guardian

Mytting remains astonished by its performance.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sobel was astonished by Poehlman's response.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astonished by" to express a strong feeling of surprise, often in response to something unexpected or remarkable. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the astonishment.

Common error

Avoid replacing "by" with other prepositions like "at" or "with". "Astonished by" is the correct and idiomatic form. For example: "She was astonished by the news", not "She was astonished at the news".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "astonished by" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition. It typically describes someone's emotional state in response to a particular event, action, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Arts

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Sports

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "astonished by" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to express surprise or amazement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to use it in contexts where a strong sense of surprise is intended. Alternatives like "amazed by" or "surprised by" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources, with a neutral register suitable for a variety of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amazed by

Uses a different adjective with similar meaning.

astounded by

Conveys a sense of great surprise and wonder.

surprised by

Employs a more common synonym to express a similar reaction.

startled by

Highlights a sudden and unexpected surprise.

flabbergasted by

Indicates a stronger sense of shock or bewilderment.

taken aback by

Indicates a feeling of surprise and slight shock.

dumbfounded by

Suggests being so surprised as to be unable to speak.

blown away by

Uses an informal expression to describe being extremely impressed and surprised.

baffled by

Focuses on being confused or perplexed by something unexpected.

in awe of

Expresses a feeling of respect and wonder mixed with surprise.

FAQs

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

Use "astonished by" to indicate that someone is extremely surprised or impressed by something. For instance, "I was astonished by the magician's incredible performance."

What can I say instead of "astonished by"?

You can use alternatives like "amazed by", "surprised by", or "astounded by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "astonished at" instead of "astonished by"?

While "astonished by" is the more common and accepted phrase, "astonished at" is occasionally used, but it's generally better to stick with "astonished by" for clarity and idiomatic correctness.

What is the difference between "astonished by" and "impressed by"?

"Astonished by" typically implies a greater sense of surprise or amazement, while "impressed by" suggests admiration or respect. You might be "astonished by" an unexpected event, but "impressed by" someone's skill or talent.