be astonished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be astonished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing surprise or amazement at something unexpected or remarkable. Example: "When she revealed her secret talent, everyone in the room began to be astonished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prepare to be astonished.

The New Yorker

I'd be astonished.

The Guardian - Music

"I can't help be astonished.

The Guardian

You can only be astonished".

The Guardian - Books

Dilbert, one suspects, would be astonished.

The New York Times - Travel

If he heard that he would be astonished.

The New York Times

"I will be astonished if the event goes ahead.

Independent

"They'd be astonished at his maps," Turner recalls.

MIT Technology Review

You'll be astonished at the remoteness of 1911.

The New York Times

In other words, Ruzickova was waiting to be astonished.

The Washington Post

I would be astonished to see any of these broken.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be astonished" when you want to express a strong sense of surprise or amazement at something unexpected or remarkable. It's more impactful than simply saying "be surprised".

Common error

While "be astonished" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more nuanced synonyms like "be astounded" or rephrasing for greater precision and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be astonished" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of surprise or amazement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, indicating a reaction to something unexpected or remarkable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be astonished" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a strong sense of surprise or amazement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While highly frequent, it's advisable to consider synonyms like "be amazed" or "be astounded" in more formal writing to add nuance. Remember to use "be astonished" when emphasizing a genuine feeling of wonder, distinguishing it from mere surprise or polite admiration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be amazed

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

be astounded

Synonymous, but slightly more formal, suggesting great surprise.

be surprised

A more general term for experiencing something unexpected.

be flabbergasted

Implies a stronger sense of shock or bewilderment.

find it astonishing

Emphasizes the act of discovering something surprising.

be dumbfounded

Indicates being so surprised that one is temporarily speechless.

be taken aback

Suggests a sudden shock or surprise that causes hesitation.

be awestruck

Expresses a feeling of reverence and amazement.

be impressed

Suggests admiration and respect due to something remarkable.

be startled

Implies a sudden, often slight, shock.

FAQs

How to use "be astonished" in a sentence?

You can use "be astonished" to express a strong feeling of surprise or amazement. For example, "I would "be astonished" if the event goes ahead."

What can I say instead of "be astonished"?

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

Which is correct, "be astonished" or "being astonished"?

"Be astonished" is typically used as an infinitive or in future tense constructions, while "being astonished" would be used as a gerund or in continuous tenses. The correct choice depends on the specific sentence structure.

What's the difference between "be astonished" and "be impressed"?

"Be astonished" implies surprise and amazement, while "be impressed" suggests admiration and respect. You'd be astonished by an unexpected event, but impressed by a display of skill or talent.