being surprised by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being surprised by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a reaction to an unexpected event or situation. Example: "I found myself being surprised by the sudden change in weather during our picnic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"As a science, I think we need to stop being surprised by surprising discoveries," DeSilva said.

Vice

My being surprised by this is surprising to me.

The New York Times

But on the other hand, he confesses, he admits to being surprised by the surprising number of jobs that have been created by all this new technology.

TechCrunch

Stop being surprised by all this bullshit.

Independent

I'm still busy being surprised by spring.

The New York Times

The joy of being surprised by his own inventions.

The New York Times - Books

I keep being surprised by the unusual turn of phrase.

The Guardian - Books

He recalls being surprised by Deep Blue's success.

The Guardian - Tech

In the first few years, we kept being surprised by what was not there".

The New Yorker

C. S. Lewis described his conversion to Christianity as a process of being "surprised by joy".

The New York Times - Magazine

"I worked hard for it," said Fernandez, who acknowledged being surprised by the promotion.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being surprised by" to convey genuine astonishment or unexpectedness. Ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the surprise for maximum impact.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to emphasize the subject experiencing the surprise directly, e.g., instead of "I was surprised by the news," try "The news surprised me."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being surprised by" functions as a participial phrase within a clause, often serving as an adjective modifying the subject. This is confirmed by Ludwig, indicating its proper grammatical form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being surprised by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey a sense of unexpectedness or astonishment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, writers should be mindful of potential overreliance on the passive voice and explore active alternatives for stronger writing. The examples showcase its application in diverse situations, from personal reflections to observations on factual events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being taken aback by

Focuses on the element of shock or being startled, suggesting a stronger emotional reaction.

being astonished by

Highlights a sense of great wonder or amazement, emphasizing the intensity of the surprise.

being amazed by

Emphasizes a feeling of wonder and delight, often in response to something impressive.

being startled by

Specifically refers to a sudden and unexpected surprise, often causing a jump or fright.

being caught off guard by

Highlights the lack of preparation or anticipation for the surprising event.

finding it surprising that

Shifts the focus to the unexpected nature of a situation or fact.

being caught unawares by

Stresses the lack of awareness or anticipation, similar to "caught off guard".

being impressed by

Indicates that the surprise is linked to something of high quality or skill

being thunderstruck by

Emphasizes being extremely surprised and shocked by something powerful or unexpected

experiencing a revelation from

implies a sudden understanding or realization, rather than simple surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "being surprised by" in a sentence?

Use "being surprised by" to describe a reaction to an unexpected event or discovery. For example, "I remember "being surprised by" how integrated Mr Abramovich was, not only with the leadership of the Kremlin but also with the Prosecutor-General's office."

What can I say instead of "being surprised by"?

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

Is it better to say "I was surprised by" or "I am surprised by"?

The choice between "I was surprised by" and "I am surprised by" depends on the timing. Use "I was surprised by" for past events and "I am surprised by" for present reactions or ongoing situations.

What's the difference between "being surprised by" and "being shocked by"?

"Being surprised by" implies a general feeling of unexpectedness, while "being shocked by" suggests a more intense, often negative, reaction to something unexpected.