be surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

"be surprised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has done something unexpected or dramatic, or when you want to express your amazement at something. Example: "Be surprised! I finished the whole book in one day!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Want to be surprised?

The New York Times

"Don't be surprised".

The New Yorker

We shouldn't be surprised".

The New York Times

But you'd be surprised.

The Economist

Nobody should be surprised".

The New York Times - Sports

You'd be surprised.

The New York Times

Nobody can be surprised.

The New York Times - Sports

I wouldn't be surprised.

The New York Times - Magazine

"No, you'd be surprised.

The New York Times

He'd definitely be surprised.

The New York Times

You will be surprised.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be surprised" to express a general sense of unexpectedness or astonishment. Consider stronger synonyms like "be astounded" or "be shocked" to convey a greater degree of surprise.

Common error

In formal contexts, avoid using "be surprised" repeatedly. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary like "be astonished" or "be taken aback" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be surprised" is to serve as a verb phrase expressing a state of being or a reaction to an unexpected event. It's often used to indicate that someone experiences astonishment or unexpectedness. Ludwig examples showcase its versatility in expressing reactions across various situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

17%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be surprised" is a versatile and common verb phrase used to express a state of astonishment or unexpectedness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, followed by academic and wiki sources. When a stronger expression is desired, alternatives like "be astonished" or "be amazed" can be used. While generally neutral in register, overuse in formal writing should be avoided. "Be surprised" effectively conveys a reaction to unexpected events across numerous contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be taken by surprise

Highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of the event causing surprise, focusing on the action of being taken.

be astounded

Implies a higher degree of shock and disbelief than simply being surprised.

feel astonishment

Directly refers to experiencing a feeling of great surprise, emphasizing the emotional aspect.

express astonishment

Focuses on actively showing surprise rather than passively experiencing it.

take aback

Suggests a brief moment of shock or disorientation, compared to a sustained feeling of surprise.

be caught off guard

Focuses on the unpreparedness when the surprise occurs, implying a lack of readiness.

show amazement

Emphasizes a sense of wonder and delight, whereas "be surprised" is neutral.

find it shocking

Highlights the unexpected and potentially negative nature of the surprise.

be amazed to see

Specifically refers to visual amazement, limiting the scope of surprise to what is seen.

witness unexpectedly

Shifts the focus to observing something unexpected rather than experiencing a personal reaction.

FAQs

What does "be surprised" mean?

The phrase "be surprised" indicates a feeling of astonishment or unexpectedness when something happens that you did not anticipate.

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

You can use "be surprised" in a sentence to express your reaction to something unexpected, such as "I wouldn't "be surprised" if it rained tomorrow".

What can I say instead of "be surprised"?

You can use alternatives like "be astonished", "be amazed", or "be astounded" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "being surprised" instead of "be surprised"?

While "being surprised" is grammatically correct, it often functions as a gerund or participle, whereas "be surprised" is an infinitive form used in different grammatical constructions. The choice depends on the specific sentence structure.