for their shock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for their shock" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reaction or response that is surprising or unexpected for a particular group of people. Example: "The news of the sudden layoffs was met with disbelief and for their shock, many employees were left speechless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

— and for their shock value.

The New Yorker

CAMPAIGNS from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have been notable for their shock value, featuring, for instance, pictures of dismembered chickens and cows.

The New York Times

"The irony to this so far is that gays are being used for their shock value in ads," Mr. Wilke said, "for humor, or at least something different.

The New York Times

They shrugged off an early second-half fightback to gain revenge for their shock exit to the Airlie Birds two years ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Canada gained some consolation for their shock defeat by Britain on Wednesday when they won bronze in the women's curling by beating the United States 9-5 in a play-off.

The Guardian - Sport

Great Britain's 4x100m women's relay squad are set to be rewarded for their shock bronze medal at the world championships in Moscow when UK Athletics announces who will receive lottery funding in 2014 on Monday.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The Southern League Premier Division club Chesham will be aiming for a repeat of their shock win at Bristol Rovers last season when they travel to third-tier Peterborough.

The Guardian - Sport

Ireland, who have a fitness doubt over Trent Johnston, will be hoping for a repeat of their shock World Cup win over England in March.

BBC

Meaning for all their "shock" and "astonishment" at finding out that corporate executives actually use their corporate jets to travel around (for instance) -- or their false outrage at a company buying naming rights to a stadium -- can be completely dismissed as "sound and fury, signifying nothing".

Huffington Post

Republican leaders can be forgiven for their shell shock.

The New York Times

Gigi Chen: I never used to be interested in politics when I was younger – even less so in artists who make political art who seemed more superficially interested in the topics for their visual shock value.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for their shock" to emphasize an unexpected reaction or outcome. It's effective when highlighting the surprising nature of an event and its impact on a group.

Common error

Avoid using "for their shock" when the event is only mildly surprising. Reserve it for instances where the surprise is significant and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for their shock" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the cause or reason for a particular reaction or outcome. As Ludwig AI indicates, it expresses the impetus behind a surprise.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for their shock" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon phrase used to explain a reaction or outcome stemming from a group's surprise. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and it is particularly useful in news, sports and scientific contexts. While alternatives such as ""due to their surprise"" or "because of their astonishment" exist, "for their shock" provides a succinct way to convey the causal link between an unexpected event and its consequences. When using the phrase, ensure the surprise is significant enough to justify its use, and be mindful of the potential for more natural-sounding alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to their surprise

Replaces "shock" with a more general term for surprise, indicating the cause of a reaction.

as a consequence of their surprise

Formally indicates the surprising event as the cause of a subsequent action or reaction.

because of their astonishment

Substitutes "shock" with "astonishment", emphasizing a high level of surprise and wonder.

owing to their amazement

Similar to "astonishment", but can imply a sense of delight in addition to surprise.

in response to their dismay

Focuses on the negative aspect of the surprise, highlighting feelings of distress and concern.

given their consternation

Emphasizes the anxiety and confusion caused by the unexpected event.

stemming from their startlement

Focuses on the initial jolt or sudden surprise experienced.

on account of their bewilderment

Highlights the state of being perplexed and confused due to the surprising nature of the event.

resulting from their incredulity

Highlights the disbelief that accompanies the shocking event.

prompted by their discomposure

Suggests that the shock has unsettled or disturbed them.

FAQs

How can I use "for their shock" in a sentence?

Use "for their shock" to describe the reason behind someone's surprise or reaction. For example, "The sudden announcement was met with silence, "due to their surprise"".

What can I say instead of "for their shock"?

You can use alternatives like ""due to their surprise"", "because of their astonishment", or "in response to their dismay" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "for their shock" or "because of their shock"?

Both "for their shock" and "because of their shock" are grammatically correct, but "because of their shock" may sound more natural in some contexts. "For their shock" emphasizes the reason or cause, while "because of their shock" highlights the consequence or result.

What is the difference between "for their shock" and "to their surprise"?

"For their shock" explains the reason why something happened or why someone reacted a certain way. "To their surprise" simply notes that something was surprising, without necessarily elaborating on its direct consequences or reasons.