completely astonishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely astonishing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is extremely surprising or impressive. Example: "The magician's performance was completely astonishing, leaving the audience in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It's completely astonishing, and I'm amazed I'm still standing, but I'm not complaining.

The Guardian

"He came in to audition for me and was totally, completely astonishing," Mr. Wolfe said.

The New York Times

Pauline Quirke is completely astonishing as the violently hostile – and, as is eventually revealed, impossibly damaged – outsider Susan.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The outpouring of respect and admiration for him, his honesty, his bravery – maybe you could say his foolhardiness as well – have been completely astonishing.

The Guardian - Arts

Look out for a completely astonishing turn by Ed Begley Jr as an evil scientist hell-bent on demolishing a local orphanage so he can mine the magical crystals that lie buried beneath.

The Guardian - Film

We had 2,000 years of being completely outlawed, and to do it all in one lifetime is completely astonishing".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"We stood by as these tapestries were unrolled, out on the car park, and it was completely and utterly astonishing".

The New Yorker

They were undoubtedly the earliest examples of these images (several of which were completely unknown), an astonishing bouquet of experiments in toning and multiple-printing processes.

The New York Times

As always with Mei, the naive vibe here can't quite completely mask her astonishing vocal talent.

Vice

St Johnstone's manager, Tommy Wright, savoured an emphatic derby win but it was overshadowed completely by some quite astonishing post-match scenes involving their Tayside opponents.

The Times

It was astonishing: a completely spontaneous show of generosity, the end of It's a Wonderful Life playing out before our very eyes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "completely astonishing", consider the context and audience. While suitable for many situations, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives such as "utterly astounding" or "absolutely remarkable".

Common error

Avoid overusing "completely astonishing" in highly formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "remarkably impressive" or "profoundly moving".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely astonishing" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It amplifies the degree of surprise or wonder associated with something. Ludwig confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely astonishing" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to express a strong sense of surprise or amazement. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. While versatile, consider the context and audience when using it, opting for more formal alternatives in certain situations. Its function is to intensify the adjective "astonishing", and it maintains a neutral register. Remember to be mindful of overuse, especially in formal writing, and explore alternatives like "utterly astounding" or "absolutely remarkable" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly astounding

Emphasizes the shocking or unbelievable nature of something.

totally amazing

A more informal way to express great surprise and pleasure.

absolutely remarkable

Highlights the exceptional or noteworthy quality of something.

genuinely surprising

Focuses on the unexpected nature of an event or piece of information.

truly impressive

Emphasizes the skill or quality that elicits admiration.

thoroughly unexpected

Highlights that something was not anticipated.

quite extraordinary

Emphasizes the unusual or exceptional nature of something.

incredibly impressive

Expresses a high degree of admiration and awe.

simply breathtaking

Captures the feeling of awe and wonder, often related to beauty or skill.

remarkably impressive

Stresses how something is extremely worthy of attention or praise.

FAQs

How can I use "completely astonishing" in a sentence?

You can use "completely astonishing" to describe something that is extremely surprising or impressive. For example, "The magician's performance was "completely astonishing", leaving the audience in awe."

What are some alternatives to "completely astonishing"?

Alternatives include "utterly astounding", "totally amazing", or "absolutely remarkable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "completely astonishing" formal or informal?

The phrase "completely astonishing" is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, consider using alternatives like "remarkably impressive" for a more sophisticated tone.

What makes "completely astonishing" different from "astonishing"?

Adding "completely" intensifies the degree of astonishment. While "astonishing" simply means surprising or impressive, "completely astonishing" emphasizes the totality or thoroughness of the surprise or amazement.