be surprised at the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be surprised at the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing astonishment or disbelief about something that follows in the sentence. Example: "You might be surprised at the results of the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You'll be surprised at the driver behaviour they capture.

The Guardian - Opinion

You might be surprised at the debate this question spawns.

The Guardian - Books

You'd be surprised at the brilliant events hosted by Waterstones.

The Guardian

You'd be surprised at the stuff you can't really hear.

The New York Times - Arts

"And we should not be surprised at the consequences".

The New York Times - Books

She was little, but you'd be surprised at the work she done.

The New Yorker

You will be surprised at the many ways the database finds connections.

The New York Times

Many patients will be surprised at the tests and treatments that these expert groups now question.

The New York Times

When it does, one may be surprised at the amount of greenery.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No one familiar with Sorrentino's work will be surprised at the underlying bitterness in these passages.

The New York Times - Books

In fact, the people at British Gas will probably be surprised at the questions I ask.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be surprised at the" to introduce an unexpected outcome or result. For example, "You'll be surprised at the progress you make in just one week."

Common error

Avoid replacing "at" with "by" when using "be surprised". "Be surprised by" implies a direct cause, while "be surprised at" is more general. For instance, use "be surprised at the number of applicants" not "be surprised by the number of applicants".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be surprised at the" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of astonishment or unexpectedness. It's used to introduce something that one might find surprising. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be surprised at the" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to introduce an element of unexpectedness or astonishment. It is frequently found in diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. When using "be surprised at the", remember to focus on general unexpectedness rather than direct causation to ensure the preposition "at" is appropriate. For alternatives, consider "be astonished by the" or "be amazed by the" for heightened emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be astonished by the

Replaces "surprised" with "astonished", indicating a greater level of amazement.

be amazed by the

Substitutes "surprised" with "amazed", suggesting wonderment.

be taken aback by the

Indicates a sudden shock or surprise, differing slightly in emotional intensity.

be startled by the

Replaces "surprised" with "startled", conveying a sense of shock or alarm.

find it surprising that

Changes the structure to an observation about something being surprising.

it's astonishing to see

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of something.

one might not expect

Expresses the idea that something is contrary to expectations.

it could come as a shock

Suggests that something may be upsettingly surprising.

you may not believe it

Highlights potential disbelief in something that is revealed.

that's quite unexpected

Highlights the unexpected nature of something

FAQs

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

Use "be surprised at the" to express astonishment or unexpectedness about something. For example, "You might be surprised at the variety of options available."

What can I say instead of "be surprised at the"?

You can use alternatives like "be astonished by the", "be amazed by the", or "be taken aback by the" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "be surprised at the" or "be surprised by the"?

"Be surprised at the" and "be surprised by the" are both grammatically correct, but have slightly different meanings. "Be surprised at the" is more general, while "be surprised by the" implies a direct cause. Choose the one that best fits the context.

What is the difference between "be surprised at the" and "be shocked by the"?

"Be surprised at the" indicates a general feeling of unexpectedness, while "be shocked by the" suggests a stronger, more negative emotional response. Consider the intensity of the emotion when choosing between the two.