feel astonished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel astonished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong sense of surprise or amazement about something. Example: "When she revealed the unexpected news, I couldn't help but feel astonished by her revelation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If there be any one who thinks he is better for having been spanked in school, let him come, presenting proofs, & we shall feel astonished.

The New Yorker

I am sometimes at such a petrifying loss for words or emotions that make sense that I can only feel astonished by the fact that he could be anyone.

The New York Times

They do not feel astonished in victory, but entitled.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He had felt astonished: America finally had a President who didn't feel like a throwback, who lived in the same world that he did.

The New Yorker

Nonetheless, when Claire, one of the two women at the center of Mona Simpson's new novel, "My Hollywood," has a baby in her late 30s, she convinces herself not only that she's an unfit mother but that her 17-week-old son, Will (who "seemed more furious than other babies, more bereft") is aware of her shortcomings: "Will and I both felt astonished that he was stuck with me".

The New York Times - Books

Nisar says that when he first came to the Center, three years ago, he felt astonished to see people from different ethnic backgrounds sitting together.

HuffPost

Encountering Homer in a vivid translation made Keats feel like an astonished astronomer watching a new planet swim into view.

The New York Times - Books

Yet dazzled as this crowd is, I feel considerably more astonished by the performance than anyone else under the Big Top.

Los Angeles Times

Longtime critics of the project felt vindicated, if astonished, at the official concession.

The New York Times

She should be more than astonished, I feel.

The Guardian - Books

I am still astonished to feel the instrument in my arms again.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel astonished" to convey a strong sense of surprise or amazement, often in response to something unexpected or remarkable.

Common error

Avoid using "feel astonished" in overly formal or academic writing; consider alternatives like "find oneself surprised" or "experience astonishment" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel astonished" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of being or emotional experience. It typically describes a subject's reaction to an unexpected or remarkable event. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feel astonished" is a grammatically sound way to express a strong sense of surprise or amazement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not the most common expression, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "experience astonishment". Remember that astonishment represents a more intense surprise than simply feeling surprised. Use "feel astonished" to effectively convey a deep emotional response to something unexpected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel amazed

Replaces "astonished" with "amazed", suggesting a slightly less intense surprise.

feel astounded

Substitutes "astonished" with "astounded", implying a more overwhelming sense of shock.

feel surprised

Replaces "astonished" with "surprised", indicating a milder form of wonder.

feel flabbergasted

Uses "flabbergasted" to imply being speechless with surprise.

experience astonishment

Uses the noun form of "astonishment", providing a more formal tone.

feel dumbfounded

Similar to flabbergasted, suggesting a temporary inability to speak or think clearly due to surprise.

feel a sense of wonder

Emphasizes the feeling of awe and amazement.

be filled with wonder

Replaces "feel astonished" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the feeling of awe.

find oneself astonished

Adds a sense of involuntariness to the feeling of astonishment.

be taken aback

Indicates a sudden and unexpected surprise, focusing on the initial reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "feel astonished" in a sentence?

You can use "feel astonished" to describe a strong feeling of surprise or amazement. For example, "I "feel astonished" by his sudden change of heart".

What are some alternatives to "feel astonished"?

Some alternatives include "feel amazed", "feel surprised", or "be filled with wonder", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "feel astonished" or "be astonished"?

"Be astonished" is a more direct and common construction. "Feel astonished" emphasizes the emotional experience of astonishment. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "feel astonished" and "feel surprised"?

"Feel surprised" indicates a general sense of unexpectedness, while "feel astonished" suggests a stronger sense of wonder and amazement. Astonishment is a more intense form of surprise.