certainly surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly surprised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of surprise or astonishment about something that has occurred. Example: "I was certainly surprised to hear that she won the award after such a tough competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"I was certainly surprised".

The New York Times

The result certainly surprised me.

Independent

The speed certainly surprised me".

The Guardian

But McShane certainly surprised Aronian early.

The New York Times

Important passwords within seconds It certainly surprised me.

The Guardian - Tech

"The focus on security certainly surprised many of Germany's E.U. partners".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

That would certainly surprise the nation: the Nixons still in the White House, enjoying a last breakfast.

The New Yorker

It will certainly surprise the man himself, but as he says, "I need to believe in myself.

Independent

"Fountains are a great way to enliven a spot, and this one will certainly surprise New Yorkers who think they know the reservoir well," said Chris Ward, commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the city's water supply.

The New York Times

You're in a business that'll certainly surprise retail investors who are accustomed to doing trades instantly, nanosecond.

Forbes

Ask any travel agent, and they will certainly surprise you with the range of offers from other cruise lines as well.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure the intensity of the surprise aligns with the situation. Sometimes, a milder expression might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "certainly surprised" is grammatically sound, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "really surprised" or "quite surprised" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly surprised" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "surprised". As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The adverb "certainly" emphasizes the degree of surprise experienced by the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certainly surprised" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to convey a strong feeling of surprise. As Ludwig AI explains, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, though awareness of tone is essential for informal settings. While "certainly surprised" serves its purpose effectively, related phrases like "definitely astonished" or "utterly amazed" can add nuance or intensity. Remember to consider the setting and audience when selecting the most appropriate expression. The sources consulted show that the expression is valid and correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitely astonished

Replaces "surprised" with "astonished" to amplify the feeling of amazement and substitutes "certainly" with "definitely" for emphasis.

indeed astonished

Emphasizes the surprise, using "indeed" to strengthen the feeling of astonishment.

utterly amazed

Replaces "surprised" with "amazed", indicating great wonder, and "certainly" with "utterly" for a more intense degree of surprise.

absolutely shocked

Emphasizes the shock experienced, conveying a strong reaction to something unexpected, and replaces "certainly" with "absolutely".

truly amazed

Replaces "certainly" with "truly" to express the sincerity of amazement.

completely taken aback

Uses an idiomatic expression meaning greatly surprised or shocked.

undeniably astonished

Highlights the impossibility of denying the astonishment, stressing the surprise.

genuinely startled

Highlights the authenticity of the surprise and replaces "surprised" with "startled", suggesting a sudden shock.

positively stunned

Replaces "surprised" with "stunned", indicating a state of shock or bewilderment, and "certainly" with "positively" for emphasis.

unquestionably taken by surprise

Uses a more formal phrasing to express the feeling of being caught off guard and surprised.

FAQs

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

You can use "certainly surprised" to express a strong feeling of surprise. For example, "I was "certainly surprised" when I heard the news".

What can I say instead of "certainly surprised"?

You can use alternatives like "definitely astonished", "utterly amazed", or "completely taken aback" depending on the context.

Is "certainly surprised" formal or informal?

"Certainly surprised" is generally considered neutral in formality, suitable for both news reporting and casual conversation. However, consider your audience; more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "undeniably astonished".

Which is correct, "certainly surprised" or "surely surprised"?

Both "certainly surprised" and "surely surprised" are grammatically correct, but "certainly surprised" is more common. "Surely surprised" can sometimes imply disbelief or skepticism in addition to surprise.