got astonished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got astonished" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe the feeling experienced by a person who has encountered something that is beyond belief, surprising, or unexpected. For example, "The crowd got astonished as the acrobat performed a dangerous stunt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The answer I got astonished me.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Such material is catnip to actors, of course, who get to astonish us by the crispness of their control in depicting people who are losing it.

The New York Times

This reveals an unusually stoic nature – I also didn't apply for the job, and would have been absolutely astonished had I got it – that will surely come in handy in Yorkshire.

The Guardian - Sport

"You've got cleavage!" I cry, astonished at this secret that has always remained hidden beneath her layers of chiffon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He said he never used the trailer, and ended up taking it to a swap meet where he was astonished to get $3,500 for it.

The New York Times - Travel

Strong sent an e-mail message announcing her decision to other family members of people on Flight 93 and was astonished to get 16 replies saying they wanted to run, too.

The New York Times - Sports

When you look at the eyeball counts the ads get, you'll be astonished by how cheap they are, especially if you compare them to more traditional ads, say in magazines or on television.

Science Magazine

Reem told me that she was "astonished" when she got on the boat, adding, "It was very small for a trip to Italy".

The New Yorker

Mr. Blumenthal said he did not provide the information to reporters, was unsure how it got into circulation and was "astonished" when he saw it in print.

The New York Times

Reem told me that she was "astonished" when she got on the boat, adding, "It was very small for a trip to Italy". There was little air circulation inside the cabin, and it was soon sweltering.

The New Yorker

He spent a lot of years forming the character and personality he has got and I would be astonished if that changed in a short space of time".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger synonyms like "shocked", "amazed", or "surprised" if you want to convey a more impactful feeling. The phrase "got astonished" is grammatically sound but can sound somewhat formal or understated.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying heavily on "got" in formal writing can make your prose sound less polished. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "was astonished" or "became astonished" for a more refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got astonished" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the state of being astonished. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound, indicating a valid, though perhaps less common, usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "got astonished" is grammatically correct but relatively rare in modern English. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is valid, yet less frequently encountered. Its function is to describe the state of experiencing surprise or amazement. The phrase leans towards a neutral or slightly informal register. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "was astonished", "was surprised" or "was amazed". Despite being acceptable, optimizing word choice to better suit specific contexts is always beneficial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was very surprised

Replaces "astonished" with a more common synonym and restructures the sentence.

was taken aback

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey surprise.

was greatly amazed

Replaces "astonished" with "amazed" and adds "greatly" for emphasis.

was completely shocked

Emphasizes the surprise using "shocked" and "completely".

couldn't believe it

Expresses disbelief as a result of astonishment.

was dumbfounded

Uses a less common but strong synonym for astonished.

found it incredible

Shifts the focus to the incredibility of the situation causing astonishment.

was flabbergasted

Uses a more emphatic synonym for astonished.

was bowled over

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe being overwhelmed with surprise.

was awestruck

Indicates a sense of wonder and amazement.

FAQs

What does "got astonished" mean?

The phrase "got astonished" means to experience a feeling of great surprise or amazement. It suggests being taken aback by something unexpected or extraordinary.

Is "got astonished" grammatically correct?

Yes, "got astonished" is grammatically correct, although it's not the most common way to express surprise. Other options such as "was astonished" are more frequently used.

What can I say instead of "got astonished"?

You can use alternatives like "was surprised", "was amazed", or "was shocked", depending on the intensity of the feeling you want to convey.

What is the difference between "got astonished" and "was astonished"?

Both "got astonished" and "was astonished" are grammatically correct and express a similar meaning. However, "was astonished" is often preferred in more formal writing, while "got astonished" can sound slightly more informal.