everyone was surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "everyone was surprised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group of people reacted with astonishment or disbelief to an event or piece of information. Example: "When the results of the competition were announced, everyone was surprised to see the underdog team take first place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Everyone was surprised".

The New York Times

"Everyone was surprised by this".

The New York Times

But not everyone was surprised by Price's accusations.

The Guardian

"When they arrived, everyone was surprised," she said.

The New York Times

Everyone was surprised, because she was a pretty woman.

The Guardian

As you can imagine, everyone was surprised by the total amount of waste created.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Everyone was surprised by how well LinkedIn did," said a person close to the company.

The New York Times

"Everyone was surprised at people's willingness to discuss such things," Doyle said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"That way everyone is surprised".

The New York Times - Magazine

"I think everyone's surprised.

The Guardian - Sport

Everyone is surprised by the lavish arrangements.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "everyone was surprised", consider the intensity of the surprise and whether a stronger word like "astonished" or "amazed" might be more appropriate to convey the emotional impact.

Common error

While "everyone was surprised" is acceptable, it can sound less sophisticated in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "the revelation took many by surprise" or "the outcome defied expectations" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

"Everyone was surprised" functions as a statement expressing a shared emotional or cognitive reaction to an unexpected event or piece of information. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and commonly used. The phrase typically serves to highlight the unexpectedness of a situation and the shared feeling of astonishment among a group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "everyone was surprised" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to denote a shared feeling of astonishment or unexpectedness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While adaptable to various contexts, it's important to consider the formality of the situation and potentially opt for more sophisticated alternatives in formal writing. The phrase commonly appears in News & Media, indicating its broad applicability and general acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everyone expressed surprise

Focuses on the outward expression of surprise rather than the internal feeling.

everyone felt astonishment

Emphasizes the intensity of the surprise, suggesting a stronger emotional reaction.

everyone found it surprising

Shifts the focus to the quality of being surprising, rather than the reaction of the people.

it took everyone by surprise

Highlights the unexpected nature of an event that caused surprise.

it caught everyone off guard

Suggests that people were unprepared for something, leading to surprise.

everyone was taken aback

Implies a slight shock or bewilderment in addition to surprise.

everyone was amazed

Suggests a sense of wonder and delight alongside the surprise.

everyone was astonished

Indicates a higher degree of surprise and disbelief.

it was a shock to everyone

Emphasizes the jarring or unsettling nature of the surprising event.

it defied everyone's expectations

Highlights the contrast between what was anticipated and what actually happened.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "everyone was surprised"?

You can use alternatives like "everyone expressed surprise", "everyone felt astonishment", or "it took everyone by surprise" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "everyone was surprised"?

Yes, "everyone was surprised" is grammatically correct. "Everyone" is treated as a singular pronoun in this context, requiring the singular verb "was".

What's the difference between "everyone was surprised" and "nobody was surprised"?

"Everyone was surprised" indicates a general sense of astonishment among a group of people. Conversely, "nobody was surprised" means that no one experienced surprise, implying the event was expected or predictable.

How to use "everyone was surprised" in a sentence?

You can use "everyone was surprised" to describe a reaction to an unexpected event, such as "When the results of the election were announced, everyone was surprised to see the underdog win".