he startled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he startled" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used as a descriptive phrase to indicate that someone has been suddenly surprised or alarmed by something. Example: "As he rounded the corner, he startled at the sight of a large stray dog blocking his path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He startled and looked around.

The New Yorker

Then he startled us.

The Guardian - Sport

He startled the lacrosse world, he was so good".

The New Yorker

She didn't hear him come in, and he startled her.

The New Yorker

He startled sleepy wardens by walking cellblocks at 2 a.m.

The New York Times

He shouted so loudly that he startled the other customers.

The New Yorker

He startled me by snapping: "That rotted away years ago".

The New Yorker

Then he startled everybody by winning games, including back-to-back one-hitters.

The New York Times

He startled the audience when he and Mr. Ramos unzipped two sleeping bags and wore them as coats.

The New York Times

He was something of an afterthought — until he startled the field with an opening nine of five-under-par 31.

The New York Times - Sports

On April 1st he startled political observers by pushing through constitutional amendments severely clipping the president's wings.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he startled" to describe a sudden, noticeable reaction to something unexpected. It's more impactful than simply saying "he was surprised".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "he startled" can sound informal in academic or professional contexts. Consider using alternatives like "he was surprised" or "he was taken aback" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he startled" functions as a simple declarative statement describing an action. It typically follows a subject (he) and uses the past tense of the verb "startle" to indicate a completed action of surprising or alarming someone suddenly, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he startled" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a situation where someone experiences a sudden surprise or alarm. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples. This phrase is versatile, appearing most frequently in news and media contexts but also finding use in science, wiki entries and business settings. While generally neutral in register, it's wise to consider more formal alternatives like "he was surprised" or "he was taken aback" in academic or professional writing. Remember, using "he startled" effectively involves understanding its nuance and choosing it when you want to highlight a sudden, noticeable reaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was surprised

A general term for feeling unexpectedness or mild shock.

he gave a start

Replaces "startled" with a noun phrase implying a sudden, involuntary movement due to surprise.

he reacted with surprise

Expresses the fact that the person showed a reaction of being surprised.

he was taken aback

Emphasizes the element of surprise and being caught off guard.

he jumped in surprise

Highlights the physical reaction of surprise, implying a sudden movement.

he flinched

Focuses on a slight, involuntary movement of recoiling in response to a sudden stimulus.

he felt a jolt

Suggests a sudden physical or emotional shock.

he was astonished

Indicates a higher degree of surprise, almost disbelief.

he recoiled

Highlights a sudden backward movement, often from fear or disgust.

he was amazed

Emphasizes a feeling of great wonder or astonishment.

FAQs

How to use "he startled" in a sentence?

"He startled" describes someone experiencing a sudden surprise. Example: "He startled when the door suddenly slammed shut."

What can I say instead of "he startled"?

Alternatives include "he was surprised", "he was taken aback", or "he jumped", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "he startled" too informal for academic writing?

In some cases, yes. For formal contexts, consider more sophisticated phrases like "he was taken aback" or "he expressed surprise". /s/he+expressed+surprise

What's the difference between "he startled" and "he scared"?

"He startled" emphasizes surprise, while "he scared" indicates fear. You startle someone with a sudden noise; you scare someone with a threat or frightening image.