be extremely surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be extremely surprised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong reaction of astonishment or disbelief in response to an unexpected event or information. Example: "I would be extremely surprised if they decided to cancel the event at the last minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Ultimately, Mr. Gupta concluded, "I would be extremely surprised" if there was "anything imminent".

The New York Times

"I would be extremely surprised if the Chinese blamed us for this," he said.

The New York Times

"If this place was not complex," Dr. Cabrol said, "I would be extremely surprised and disappointed".

The New York Times

"I would be extremely surprised if it doesn't eventually pass on to the passengers," says Filis.

The Guardian - Business

(And I would be extremely surprised if the fact that the District of Columbia has the country's most affordable insurance isn't connected to the Federal Employees Health Program).

The Economist

"I would be extremely surprised if there were a lot of people arriving who didn't know it was closed," he added.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"I was extremely surprised," Smith said.

The New York Times - Sports

I was extremely surprised to see my hometown — Oakland, Calif.

The New York Times - Books

"We have all been extremely surprised," said Christian, the owner of a neighborhood watering hole.

The New York Times

"I'm extremely surprised," Greg Cole said yesterday by telephone from Meridian, Miss., Cole's hometown.

The New York Times - Sports

Dexia said that it was extremely surprised, and it dismissed the indictment as groundless.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be extremely surprised" to express a strong feeling of astonishment or disbelief in response to an unexpected event or information. For impact, follow it with an explanation of why the event is surprising.

Common error

Avoid using weak adverbs like 'a little' or 'somewhat' with "be extremely surprised". The phrase already implies a high degree of surprise, so use adverbs that match the intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be extremely surprised" functions as a predicate adjective expressing a state of strong astonishment. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts to convey a high degree of unexpectedness or disbelief.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be extremely surprised" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong feeling of astonishment or disbelief. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in news and media, and it can be effectively employed to emphasize a speaker's reaction to something unexpected. When using this phrase, ensure the intensity of the adverb matches the degree of surprise you intend to convey. Alternatives like "be utterly astonished" or "be greatly amazed" can offer a similar sentiment with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be incredibly surprised

A direct synonym, with a slight difference in emphasis.

be astounded beyond measure

An intensifier of surprise beyond normal bounds.

be utterly astonished

Emphasizes a complete sense of wonder or disbelief.

be highly astonished

Similar to 'utterly astonished' but slightly less intense.

be greatly amazed

Suggests a feeling of wonder and admiration.

be completely floored

Indicates being overwhelmed by surprise.

be very shocked

Highlights the unexpected and potentially upsetting nature of the surprise.

be flabbergasted

Indicates being struck dumb with surprise.

be taken aback

Implies a sudden surprise that causes hesitation or confusion.

be deeply impressed

Highlights the positive aspect of the surprise, focusing on admiration.

FAQs

How can I use "be extremely surprised" in a sentence?

You can use "be extremely surprised" to express a strong feeling of astonishment. For example, "I would "be extremely surprised" if they decided to cancel the event at the last minute".

What's a more formal way to say "be extremely surprised"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "be utterly astonished" or "be greatly amazed". These options convey a similar level of surprise with a heightened sense of formality.

Is it correct to say "be extremely surprising"?

While grammatically correct, "be extremely surprising" has a different meaning. "Be extremely surprising" describes something that causes surprise, while "be extremely surprised" describes the feeling of being surprised.

What can I say instead of "be extremely surprised" when something positive happens?

If you are pleasantly surprised, you could say "be delightfully surprised", "be pleasantly astonished", or "be deeply impressed" depending on the context.