equally surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equally surprised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that two or more people share the same level of surprise about a situation or event. Example: "When they announced the unexpected news, I was equally surprised as my colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He definitely was surprised to see me, and I was equally surprised to see him," said Ms. Smith, in an interview on MSNBC.

The New York Times

I was equally surprised when, this winter, James met me for an interview.

The New Yorker

Those inside and outside the alt-right were equally surprised at Clinton's choice of topic.

The Guardian

He hadn't seen the picture, and he was equally surprised and impressed.

The Guardian - Music

"She's really happy to see us," the other, equally surprised fireman said.

The New York Times

Holloway was equally surprised, and admitted he has a real job to do over the final seven games.

Independent

She was equally surprised to hear of the outcry against the verb, saying that it was simply a convenient shorthand.

The New York Times

He was equally surprised: he had little experience with the camera and says he was very lucky that day.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, he said, "I will be equally surprised and disappointed if we can't do it in 2008".

The New York Times - Science

Utz was equally surprised, getting the news via a newspaper headline while on the train to a San Francisco Giants game.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He's sent Moran off," spluttered a stunned Moore, with co-commentator Ian St. John equally as surprised: "I really do find that incredible Brian.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "equally surprised" to clearly convey that multiple subjects share the same level of astonishment or unexpectedness regarding an event or situation. This adds clarity and emphasis to the shared experience.

Common error

Avoid using "equally surprised" when intending to express a cause-and-effect relationship. The phrase indicates a shared emotional state, not a reason for the surprise. For causation, use phrases like 'due to' or 'because of'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equally surprised" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the degree of surprise experienced by multiple subjects. It indicates that the level of surprise is the same for all parties involved. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "equally surprised" is a versatile phrase used to convey a shared sense of astonishment or unexpectedness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from News & Media to Academia. While alternatives like ""just as astonished"" and "similarly taken aback" exist, it's important to avoid misusing "equally surprised" to imply causation. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively employ "equally surprised" to add clarity and emphasis to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as astonished

Replaces 'surprised' with 'astonished' for a more intense sense of wonder, maintaining the sense of shared experience.

similarly taken aback

Uses 'taken aback' to indicate surprise, focusing on the initial shock or unexpectedness of the event.

no less astonished

Emphasizes that the level of astonishment is comparable, highlighting the intensity of the surprise.

just as amazed

Substitutes 'surprised' with 'amazed' to express a sense of wonder and delight in addition to surprise.

correspondingly astonished

Uses 'correspondingly' for a more formal tone, indicating a parallel level of astonishment.

to the same degree surprised

Rephrases to explicitly state the equivalence in the level of surprise.

each equally astonished

Highlights the individual experience of astonishment, emphasizing that each person felt the same level of surprise.

mutually surprised

Emphasizes the shared nature of the surprise, indicating that both parties experienced it together.

uniformly surprised

Uses 'uniformly' to suggest a consistent level of surprise across a group.

in equal measure surprised

Emphasizes the balanced and comparable nature of the surprise experienced by each person.

FAQs

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

You can use "equally surprised" to describe two or more people who share the same level of surprise about something. For example: "When they announced the winner, the runner-up and her coach were "just as astonished" as the audience".

What are some alternatives to "equally surprised"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""just as astonished"", "similarly taken aback", or "no less astonished", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "just as surprised" instead of "equally surprised"?

Yes, "just as surprised" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "equally surprised". Both phrases convey the same meaning, indicating a similar level of surprise. You can use both to express the surprise, e.g.: both parties were "just as astonished".

What's the difference between "equally surprised" and "pleasantly surprised"?

"Equally surprised" indicates that two or more entities share the same level of surprise, without specifying the nature of the surprise. "Pleasantly surprised", on the other hand, indicates that the surprise was a positive or welcome one. When I saw my friend, I was "pleasantly surprised".