astound me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "astound me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has surprised or amazed you greatly. Example: "The magician's performance was so incredible that it truly did astound me."

✓ Grammatically correct

Expressing surprise or amazement

Describing unexpected talent or skill

Highlighting resilience or courage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Beans never cease to astound me with their versatility.

The New York Times - Health

I know a lot of MCs and they astound me.

The Guardian

"Her communication and networking skills also never cease to astound me".

The New York Times

You and Ted continue to astound me with how thoroughly you maintain and support Neuron.

Yale University

"Well, Florence didn't astound me so much," the anonymous American said jokingly.

The New York Times

Giving this kind of harrowing testimony often comes at a personal cost to the survivor, and their courage never fails to astound me.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Angie and Bill are astounding me.

The New York Times

It still astounds me.

The Guardian - Books

My mother astounds me.

The New York Times

Her naïveté astounded me.

The New Yorker

His naïveté astounded me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astound me" to express a significant level of surprise or admiration, going beyond a simple "surprise". Tailor the emotional intensity to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "astound me" for minor surprises or everyday occurrences; reserve it for truly remarkable or exceptional situations. Using weaker synonyms like "surprise me" can maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "astound me" functions as a verb phrase expressing a strong emotional reaction of surprise, amazement, or admiration. Ludwig shows many instances where it is used to highlight unexpected skill, courage, or impressive qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "astound me" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a significant level of surprise or admiration. As Ludwig highlights, it commonly appears in News & Media contexts and is also present in Academic writing and other spheres. Though versatile, it is best reserved for genuinely remarkable situations, avoiding overuse in everyday scenarios. Consider alternatives like "amaze me" or "surprise me" for milder instances. The linguistic analysis indicates its function as a verb phrase emphasizing the speaker's emotional reaction. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a correct and usable phrase, best employed to express something truly impressive or unexpected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amaze me

Uses a different verb to convey a similar level of surprise or wonder.

astonish me

Employs a stronger verb, suggesting a greater degree of surprise.

surprise me

Offers a more general expression of unexpectedness, potentially milder than "astound me".

leave me speechless

Indicates that something is so impressive that it is difficult to articulate a response.

take my breath away

Suggests an overwhelming feeling of beauty or impressiveness.

fill me with wonder

Highlights the element of awe and fascination.

blow my mind

Uses a more informal and emphatic expression of surprise and excitement.

impress me greatly

Focuses on the positive impact and admiration elicited.

strike me with awe

Emphasizes the feeling of deep respect and reverence.

I can't believe it

Expresses disbelief and astonishment at something unexpected.

FAQs

How can I use "astound me" in a sentence?

You can use "astound me" to express strong surprise or admiration, as in "The magician's performance truly did "astound me"" or "Her dedication to the project continues to "astound me"".

What's a less formal way to say "astound me"?

For a less formal alternative, consider using "surprise me", "amaze me" or "blow my mind", depending on the degree of surprise you want to convey.

Is "astound me" stronger than "surprise me"?

Yes, "astound me" conveys a greater degree of surprise, wonder, or admiration than "surprise me". "Astound" suggests something is exceptionally impressive or unexpected.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "astound me"?

Use "astound me" when you want to emphasize a feeling of great surprise and awe, typically in response to something truly remarkable or unexpected. Avoid using it for trivial events or minor surprises.