delightfully surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

"delightfully surprised" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express joy or excitement upon discovering something unexpected. Example: I was delightfully surprised to receive a large sum of money as a birthday gift from my grandparents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I was delightfully surprised when a friend dragged me to an über-nerdy" Newsies" sing-along at the Bell House by how happy I was to be in a room full of people who loved something I loved — an exact something — as deeply as I did.

The New Yorker

Therefore, I was delightfully surprised by the nuance of your Sept. 7 front-page article about the economic circumstances of Kerala, India, where its citizens are educated and, consequently, often leave their region and homeland in search of greater financial opportunities.

The New York Times

It didn't feel quite right (I kept worrying sand was going to scratch the screen) but it didn't stop me from being delightfully surprised by how much the thoughtful essay "Michael" changed my perception of Michael Jackson, nor from reading aloud to my sister from "Feet In Smoke," about Sullivan's brother's near-electrocution.

The New Yorker

On that final day, I was delightfully surprised when I was presented with a gift.

Huffington Post

So I was delightfully surprised by the King and I at the Pantages.

Huffington Post

My clients are delightfully surprised at how they slim down just by making that one diet change.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

They were also surprised to learn that they did not take notice in a scene with Malcolm Wynn-Jones delightfully eating a piece of chocolate from a Black Magic chocolate box, which they thought was a more obvious example.

Wikipedia

A curried egg toast ($5) surprises delightfully; the curry is green, full of chile, kaffir lime and other Thai flavors.

The New York Times - Food

Above all, they are delightfully packed with surprises: little bits of recondite information to startle even the most jaded reader or traveller.

Independent

Dinner at Lorenzo's begins with some basic appetizers -- a few cold, a few hot, a few salads -- and then, delightfully, those Italian surprises that raise this place above the traditional steakhouse.

The New York Times

One of the great surprises, given that the comic mode has not been Chaudhuri's metier in the past, is how delightfully witty the novel is.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delightfully surprised" to convey genuine positive surprise, especially when the outcome exceeds expectations. For stronger impact, follow it with the specific reason for the surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "delightfully surprised" sarcastically. This phrase is best reserved for genuine expressions of joy and unexpected positive outcomes. Sarcastic usage can confuse your audience and undermine your intended message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delightfully surprised" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a subject and expressing a positive and unexpected emotional response. The examples provided by Ludwig confirm its role in describing a state of pleasant surprise.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delightfully surprised" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase that conveys joy and unexpected pleasure. As indicated by Ludwig, its primary function is to describe a positive emotional response, most frequently found in News & Media contexts. The phrase is best used to express genuine surprise and should be avoided in sarcastic or somber contexts. Alternatives such as "pleasantly astonished" or "happily amazed" can be used to vary the expression while maintaining a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delighted to learn

Shifts the focus to the pleasure derived from acquiring knowledge.

thrilled to discover

Emphasizes the excitement of uncovering something new.

pleasantly astonished

Emphasizes astonishment in addition to the pleasant surprise.

overjoyed at the finding

Replaces surprise with the emotion of being overjoyed.

gratified by the revelation

Highlights the gratification experienced due to a revelation.

happily amazed

Focuses on amazement as a source of happiness.

agreeably shocked

Highlights the element of shock being agreeable.

joyfully stunned

Conveys a sense of being overwhelmed with joy.

charmed by the unexpected

Indicates a feeling of being charmed rather than merely surprised.

tickled pink

An idiomatic expression indicating amusement and pleasure.

FAQs

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

You can use "delightfully surprised" to express joy and excitement upon discovering something unexpected. For example, "I was delightfully surprised to receive a promotion today".

What are some alternatives to "delightfully surprised"?

Alternatives include "pleasantly astonished", "happily amazed", or "thrilled to discover", depending on the context.

Is "delightfully surprised" formal or informal?

"Delightfully surprised" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal tone. While suitable for general use, consider context when choosing it for very formal writing.

When is it inappropriate to use "delightfully surprised"?

Avoid using "delightfully surprised" in situations where a more somber or serious tone is required. It's also best not to use it sarcastically, as the phrase conveys genuine joy.