in awe

USAGE SUMMARY

"in awe" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe what someone is feeling towards something that is inspiring or impressive. For example, "The audience looked on in awe as the magician performed her amazing trick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Brother Deserve's listeners sat in awe.

The New Yorker

In awe.

Independent

Was she in awe?

The New York Times

I was in awe.

The New York Times - Books

Just in awe.

The New York Times

They were in awe.

The New York Times

Simon's excited, Cheryl's in awe.

Independent

They are truly in awe".

The New York Times

I was left in awe.

Independent

His kids are in awe.

Independent

Robert stood there in awe.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in awe" to express a sense of wonder, respect, and amazement when encountering something truly remarkable. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing this feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "in awe" sarcastically or ironically unless the tone is explicitly clear. The phrase generally conveys genuine admiration, and sarcasm can be easily misinterpreted in written communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in awe" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a state of wonder, respect, and amazement. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes someone's feeling towards something impressive or inspiring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in awe" is a potent expression used to convey a sense of deep wonder and admiration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Its prevalence in "News & Media" indicates its suitability for diverse contexts. When using "in awe", ensure that the context clearly defines the object or event inspiring this feeling. Alternatives such as ""awestruck"", "filled with wonder", and "struck with admiration" can provide nuanced variations. However, avoid using "in awe" sarcastically unless your intent is explicit, as this can lead to misinterpretation. With a high expert rating of 4.5 and frequent usage across authoritative sources, "in awe" remains a reliable way to articulate profound respect and amazement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awestruck

Single word alternative that mirrors the core meaning of "in awe".

amazed and impressed

Conveys both the surprise and positive evaluation components of the original phrase.

filled with wonder

Emphasizes the feeling of amazement and curiosity evoked by something impressive.

full of admiration

Highlights the positive regard and respect felt towards something or someone.

spellbound

Suggests being held captive by the captivating nature of something.

struck with admiration

Highlights the positive regard and respect felt towards someone or something.

overwhelmed with wonder

Emphasizes the intensity of the feeling of amazement and curiosity.

deeply impressed

Focuses on the significant positive impact something has on one's feelings.

rapt with attention

Implies a state of complete absorption and fascination.

revering

Expresses a feeling of deep respect and admiration, often bordering on worship.

FAQs

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

You can use "in awe" to describe someone's reaction to something impressive, such as "The audience was "in awe" of her performance".

What's a single-word substitute for "in awe"?

A close single-word substitute for "in awe" is "awestruck", which directly captures the feeling of being filled with wonder and reverence.

How does "in awe" differ from simply being "impressed"?

"In awe" suggests a deeper level of admiration and wonder than simply being "impressed". It implies a feeling of reverence or astonishment that goes beyond mere appreciation.

What are some phrases similar to "in awe" that I can use in my writing?

You can use phrases like "filled with wonder", "struck with admiration", or "deeply impressed" as alternatives to "in awe", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.