in astonishment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in astonishment" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of shock or surprise about something. For example: He looked at her in astonishment when she shared the news of her pregnancy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Foreign witnesses watched in astonishment as boxes were stuffed with false ballots and opposition politicians were threatened with arrest.

The Economist

He turned around in astonishment.

The New Yorker

I asked an Estonian professor, in astonishment.

Independent

They looked at him in astonishment.

The New Yorker

He looked at her in astonishment.

The New Yorker

I sat watching in astonishment.

The New York Times

I sat back in astonishment.

The New York Times

"Than white people?" Hayes responded in astonishment.

The Washington Post

I look at her in astonishment.

The New York Times - Books

I looked at him in astonishment.

The New Yorker

Kate laughs in astonishment to hear it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in astonishment" to vividly describe a moment of profound surprise or disbelief. It adds emotional weight to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in astonishment" for mild surprise. Reserve it for situations where the surprise is significant and impactful, to maintain its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in astonishment" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It typically describes how someone looks, reacts, or behaves when experiencing profound surprise. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in astonishment" is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverbial, commonly used to express a strong sense of surprise or amazement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English, primarily found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "in amazement" or "in disbelief" exist, "in astonishment" is particularly effective for conveying a profound level of shock or wonder. When writing, ensure the context warrants such a strong expression and avoid using it for mere mild surprises to maximize its impact. The high source quality and expert rating confirm its validity and effectiveness in conveying a vivid emotional state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in amazement

Focuses more on the wonder and delight associated with the surprise.

in disbelief

Highlights the difficulty in accepting something as true.

in wonder

Emphasizes a sense of awe and curiosity inspired by something.

taken aback

Suggests a feeling of being startled or slightly shocked.

with surprise

A more general term indicating a feeling of being surprised.

in awe

Suggests a feeling of deep respect mixed with wonder and sometimes fear.

dumbfounded

Indicates being so surprised that one is temporarily speechless.

flabbergasted

Similar to dumbfounded, but with a stronger emphasis on being overwhelmed by surprise.

aghast

Implies being filled with horror or shock.

thunderstruck

Suggests being extremely surprised, as if struck by lightning.

FAQs

How can I use "in astonishment" in a sentence?

You can use "in astonishment" to describe someone's reaction to surprising news or an unexpected event. For example, "She stared "in astonishment" as the magician made the rabbit disappear."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "in astonishment"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "in amazement", "in disbelief", or "in wonder" to express similar reactions.

Is it more appropriate to use "in astonishment" or "with astonishment"?

"In astonishment" is generally preferred over "with astonishment". While both are grammatically correct, "in astonishment" is more common and idiomatic in modern English.

What's the difference between "in astonishment" and "in surprise"?

"In surprise" is a more general term for being taken aback. "In astonishment" implies a greater degree of shock and disbelief than a simple "in surprise".