extremely surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

"extremely surprised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a reaction to something unexpected or shocking. For example: "I was extremely surprised when I heard the news of the election result."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is "very surprised, extremely surprised.

The Guardian

"I was extremely surprised," Smith said.

The New York Times - Sports

I was extremely surprised to see my hometown — Oakland, Calif.

The New York Times - Books

"We were extremely surprised and did feel bullied," Rowson says.

The Guardian

"I must say I was extremely surprised," Khaldoon recalled.

The Guardian - Sport

"We have all been extremely surprised," said Christian, the owner of a neighborhood watering hole.

The New York Times

Ultimately, Mr. Gupta concluded, "I would be extremely surprised" if there was "anything imminent".

The New York Times

"I'm extremely surprised," Greg Cole said yesterday by telephone from Meridian, Miss., Cole's hometown.

The New York Times - Sports

"I would be extremely surprised if the Chinese blamed us for this," he said.

The New York Times

I am extremely surprised and offended to find myself named in this class action".

The New York Times

"I was extremely surprised, honoured and reflective on why I should have been nominated," Gillespie said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extremely surprised" to convey a strong sense of unexpectedness or shock. It's suitable when milder terms like 'surprised' don't adequately express the intensity of your reaction.

Common error

While "extremely surprised" is effective, avoid overusing it. Vary your language with synonyms like "utterly astonished" or "completely taken aback" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extremely surprised" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective 'surprised'. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase in English to describe a reaction. It modifies the verb or clause by expressing a high degree of surprise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

11%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extremely surprised" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a significant level of unexpectedness or astonishment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. It functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective 'surprised'. While versatile, varying your language with synonyms like "utterly astonished" or "completely taken aback" can enhance your writing. It is seen in several sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, BBC and Los Angeles Times. It has a neutral register and it's suitable for several contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly astonished

Replaces 'surprised' with a stronger synonym, emphasizing the depth of astonishment.

completely taken aback

Indicates a sudden shock or surprise, focusing on the unexpected nature of the event.

incredibly shocked

Uses 'shocked' instead of 'surprised', implying a more intense emotional reaction.

greatly amazed

Shifts the focus to amazement, suggesting a positive form of surprise and wonder.

highly astonished

Emphasizes the high degree of astonishment experienced.

absolutely floored

Implies being overwhelmed by surprise, suggesting a loss for words.

totally bewildered

Focuses on the confusion caused by the surprise, rather than just the surprise itself.

genuinely stunned

Highlights the authenticity and intensity of the shock or surprise.

profoundly moved

Implies a deep emotional impact due to the surprising event.

remarkably impressed

Combines surprise with admiration, suggesting the event was unexpectedly positive and noteworthy.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "extremely surprised" in a sentence?

To effectively use "extremely surprised", place it before the verb to emphasize the degree of surprise. For example, "I was "extremely surprised" to receive the award.".

What are some alternatives to "extremely surprised"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly astonished", "completely taken aback", or "incredibly shocked" to express a similar sentiment.

Is there a difference between "very surprised" and "extremely surprised"?

"Extremely surprised" conveys a greater degree of surprise than "very surprised". Use ""extremely surprised"" when you want to emphasize a significant level of unexpectedness or shock.

When is it appropriate to use "extremely surprised" in formal writing?

While "extremely surprised" is generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "greatly amazed" or "highly astonished" in highly formal contexts. However, "extremely surprised" remains suitable for most professional and neutral communications.