be incredibly startled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be incredibly startled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong reaction of surprise or shock in various contexts, such as storytelling or personal experiences. Example: "When the loud noise erupted from the back of the room, I couldn't help but be incredibly startled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was incredibly startled," Collins said.

The New Yorker

Bacteria are incredibly diverse.

Construction and Building Materials

She is incredibly, incredibly pretty.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She's incredibly devoted and incredibly cheerful".

The New York Times

He was incredibly tall.

The New Yorker

"They're incredibly effective.

The New York Times

He's incredibly meticulous".

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's incredibly weird.

The New Yorker

Bread is incredibly forgiving.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were incredibly close.

The New York Times

"It's incredibly hard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be incredibly startled" to vividly describe a sudden and significant reaction of surprise, especially when aiming to create a strong emotional impact in your writing. It's particularly effective in narrative contexts where you want to emphasize the unexpected nature of an event.

Common error

While "be incredibly startled" is grammatically correct, it might sound slightly informal or dramatic for certain professional or academic settings. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "be very surprised" or "be taken aback" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be incredibly startled" functions as a verb phrase where 'be' is the auxiliary verb, 'incredibly' is an adverb modifying the adjective 'startled'. It describes a state of experiencing sudden surprise or shock, as evidenced by examples on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be incredibly startled" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a state of intense surprise or shock. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, while also pointing out its relative infrequency. While mainly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, it is less common in Formal and Business contexts. For a more formal tone, alternatives like "be very surprised" are recommended. Remember to use "be incredibly startled" when you need to vividly convey a significant and sudden reaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be genuinely shocked

This emphasizes the sincerity and authenticity of the shock experienced.

be extremely surprised

This option uses "extremely" for emphasis, making it a more direct synonym.

be remarkably surprised

This expresses surprise in a notable or significant way.

be deeply shocked

This alternative intensifies the feeling of surprise to a profound level of shock.

be exceedingly amazed

This denotes a very high level of amazement.

be utterly astonished

This alternative conveys a sense of complete amazement and wonder.

be astounded beyond measure

This intensifies the astonishment to an extreme degree.

be taken aback

This phrase indicates a sudden surprise that causes one to recoil slightly.

be completely floored

This suggests being overwhelmed by surprise, often to the point of speechlessness.

jump out of one's skin

This is an idiomatic expression indicating a strong, physical reaction to a sudden surprise.

FAQs

What does "be incredibly startled" mean?

The phrase "be incredibly startled" means to experience a strong feeling of surprise, shock, or alarm. It suggests a more intense reaction than simply being surprised.

What can I say instead of "be incredibly startled"?

You can use alternatives like "be extremely surprised", "be deeply shocked", or "be utterly astonished" depending on the level of intensity you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "be incredibly startled" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "be incredibly startled" might be considered slightly informal for academic or professional writing. In such contexts, more neutral phrases like "be very surprised" or "be taken aback" may be more appropriate.

How do you use "be incredibly startled" in a sentence?

You can use "be incredibly startled" in sentences like: "I couldn't help but be incredibly startled when the loud noise erupted from the back of the room."