be stunned

USAGE SUMMARY

"be stunned" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a common phrase used to describe a state of shock or surprise. Example: "I was completely stunned when I heard the news of his sudden passing." In this sentence, "be stunned" is used to convey the speaker's overwhelming feeling of shock and disbelief. Another example: "The audience was stunned by her breathtaking performance." In this sentence, "be stunned" is used to describe the audience's reaction to the performer's outstanding skills.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I waited for him to be stunned.

The New Yorker

Mr. Kellner was said to be stunned.

The New York Times

Mr. Thompson was said to be stunned.

The New York Times

The Lakers claim not to be stunned or concerned.

The New York Times - Sports

Turkeys need to be stunned and dispatched and gutted.

The New York Times

With Butler, no one should be stunned anymore.

The New York Times - Sports

Ford executives were said to be stunned by the move.

The New York Times

Now it was Rozalind's turn to be stunned silent.

The New York Times - Health

If the particle is real, physicists will be stunned.

The Guardian

I'd be stunned if it was a mistake.

The New York Times

Mr. Champoux said he expected that parishioners would be stunned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be stunned" to clearly convey a state of shock or surprise, ensuring the context supports this interpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "be stunned" to describe situations of mild surprise or simple interest; reserve it for instances of genuine shock or significant amazement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be stunned" is a verb phrase indicating a state of being affected by sudden shock or great surprise. As supported by Ludwig AI, it reflects a passive state resulting from an external cause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be stunned" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to express a state of shock or surprise. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from authoritative sources. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a strong emotional response and is not diluted for situations of mild surprise. Related phrases such as "be shocked" or "be astonished" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings with slight nuances. Remember to use "be stunned" when you want to clearly articulate a moment of impactful surprise or disbelief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be shocked

Highlights the emotional impact of the surprise, implying a negative or jarring experience.

be floored

Emphasizes being overwhelmed by surprise or shock, leaving one metaphorically 'on the floor'.

be dumbfounded

Stresses the inability to speak or react due to surprise.

be flabbergasted

Similar to dumbfounded, but with a stronger sense of disbelief and speechlessness.

be astonished

Focuses more on amazement and surprise, slightly less intense than shock.

be taken aback

Implies a brief moment of surprise that throws someone off balance.

be amazed

Emphasizes wonder and delight, often in response to something impressive or beautiful.

be bewildered

Focuses on confusion and uncertainty resulting from the surprise.

be surprised

A general term for experiencing something unexpected.

be awestruck

Implies a mix of fear, respect, and wonder usually tied to grandiose things.

FAQs

How to use "be stunned" in a sentence?

The phrase "be stunned" is used to express a state of shock or surprise. For example, "I will "be stunned" if he doesn't win the election" shows disbelief about the possibility of him losing.

What can I say instead of "be stunned"?

You can use alternatives like "be shocked", "be astonished", or "be dumbfounded" depending on the context.

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

"Be stunned" is generally used as a future tense or in hypothetical scenarios. "Being stunned" might be used as part of a continuous action. Both are grammatically correct but have slightly different uses.

What's the difference between "be stunned" and "be surprised"?

"Be stunned" implies a stronger emotional reaction than "be surprised". "Be stunned" suggests a significant level of shock or disbelief, while "be surprised" simply means something unexpected happened.