expressed surprise in the question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expressed surprise in the question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how someone reacted to a question that elicited surprise or disbelief. Example: "She expressed surprise in the question when she asked, 'Did you really think that would work?'"

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Oddo expressed surprise at the question.

The New York Times

In an interview after the hearing, Mr. Eischeid defended his conduct and expressed surprise that the senators had questioned his ethics.

The New York Times

Later Mr. Eischeid defended his conduct and expressed surprise that the senators had questioned his ethics.

The New York Times

Who are these Johnsons?" The woman in question expressed surprise at the allegations.

Independent

Aviation experts expressed surprise at the vast disparity in experience in the two-person cockpit crew.

The New York Times

At the time, experts expressed surprise at the sudden shift in position.

The Guardian

Some patients expressed surprise about the decisions made in their consultations, but this did not necessarily imply dissatisfaction.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Some scholars who have been watching the legal battles over vouchers expressed surprise that the Wisconsin judges went beyond state constitutional questions and directly addressed the First Amendment.

The New York Times

But others in the industry expressed surprise at the low profile Ms. Grann has assumed.

The New York Times

Ms. Snowe, in an interview, expressed surprise at the decision by Delaware Republicans.

The New York Times

County officials expressed surprise at the percentage of the increases, but they did not question the math.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expressed surprise in the question", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific element of the question caused the surprise. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating someone "expressed surprise" without clarifying the reason. Instead, specify the element of the question that caused the surprise to provide a more informative and engaging statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expressed surprise in the question" typically functions as a descriptive element within a sentence, characterizing someone's reaction to a question. Based on Ludwig AI, this implies a communicative act where the person visibly or verbally showed their astonishment.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expressed surprise in the question" describes a reaction of astonishment to a question. While grammatically sound, Ludwig indicates that it is not widely exemplified in current sources. It is best used when the context makes it clear what aspect of the question elicited the surprise. While related phrases like "showed astonishment at the question" and "conveyed disbelief at the inquiry" offer similar meanings, specifying the reason for the surprise enhances clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

showed astonishment at the question

Replaces "surprise" with "astonishment", indicating a stronger degree of amazement.

reacted with astonishment to the question

Emphasizes the reaction to the question, using "astonishment" to amplify the surprise.

conveyed disbelief at the inquiry

Substitutes "surprise" with "disbelief", highlighting the lack of conviction in the question's premise.

displayed amazement at the query

Uses "amazement" instead of "surprise", indicating a sense of wonder mixed with disbelief.

registered shock at the question

Replaces "surprise" with "shock", suggesting a more intense emotional response.

betrayed astonishment upon hearing the question

Highlights the act of revealing surprise, emphasizing the moment of initial reaction.

exhibited incredulity regarding the question

Replaces "surprise" with "incredulity", focusing on the impossibility of believing the question's implication.

manifested disbelief toward the question

Focuses on the external demonstration of disbelief, making it more visible.

indicated bewilderment at the question

Substitutes "surprise" with "bewilderment", suggesting confusion and a lack of understanding.

expressed incredulousness concerning the question

Emphasizes the feeling of not being able to believe the question is serious or valid.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "expressed surprise in the question" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "registered astonishment at the question" or "conveyed disbelief at the inquiry". These alternatives/"conveyed disbelief at the inquiry"" maintain a similar meaning while elevating the language.

What are some less formal ways to say someone "expressed surprise in the question"?

Informal alternatives include "was taken aback by the question" or "didn't expect that question". These options offer a more casual way to convey surprise/"didn't expect that question".

Is it grammatically correct to say "expressed surprise at the question"?

Yes, "expressed surprise at the question" is grammatically correct. "Expressed surprise in the question" focuses more on the element within the question causing the surprise, while "at" emphasizes the target of the surprise.

What's the difference between "expressed surprise in the question" and "was surprised by the question"?

"Expressed surprise in the question" implies an outward display of surprise, whereas "was surprised by the question" simply indicates an internal feeling. The former is more descriptive of observable behavior.