positively surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "positively surprised" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express pleasant surprise at something that has happened. For example, "I was positively surprised when I received the news that I had been accepted to my dream college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"We were positively surprised," said Kourosh Karimkhany, a senior producer at Yahoo News.

The New York Times

They followed that with the launch of a criminal investigation against the politically well-connected Church for the stampede that killed 16 faithful at a New Year's event in Luanda, the PGR, has once again positively surprised Angolans.

The Guardian

Additionally we were positively surprised that cost control measures will now come in above expectations for both the full year and the first half so offsetting the downgrade in wholesale guidance.

The Guardian - Business

"We were very positively surprised that our existing customers and some enterprises that are not existing customers–have expressed some interest in trying out the tool".

Forbes

"Love on Top"s musical composition, as well as Beyoncé's vocals and versatility, positively surprised critics.

Wikipedia

Its intro, New Order-influenced bass line, and rock guitar instrumentation positively surprised critics.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"Everyone is super-positively surprised by how our partnerships have been so successful - we are very happy with the players and their success".

BBC

McRae was surprised how positively users responded to the experience, one that had the potential to be both claustrophobic and terrifying.

Vice

And finally, studies we did that really surprised me, we were sure that if you presented babies with two objects and you turned to look at one and emoted positively to that object, the babies would be more surprised if you picked up the other one than if you picked up that one.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Faces with neutral (NE) and surprised (SP) expressions were evaluated, on average, neither positively nor negatively.

Plosone

Media captionIrish PM Leo Varadkar "surprised and disappointed" Media captionTheresa May is "confident we will conclude this positively" Reality Check: How do you work out the Brexit bill?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using "positively surprised". It's appropriate for both formal and informal settings, but ensure the level of enthusiasm matches the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "positively surprised" sarcastically or in situations where the outcome is clearly negative. Sarcasm can be misconstrued in written communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "positively surprised" functions as an adjectival phrase describing a state of being. It modifies a subject, indicating that the subject experienced a surprise that was perceived as beneficial or pleasing. This usage aligns with Ludwig's analysis of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

22%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

6%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "positively surprised" is a commonly used phrase to express a feeling of pleasant astonishment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It finds frequent use across diverse sources such as "News & Media", "Science", "Wiki" and "Formal & Business", suggesting its applicability in various contexts. If you're aiming for greater formality, alternatives like "favorably impressed" may be considered. Remember to use "positively surprised by" rather than "with" for grammatical accuracy, and avoid sarcastic usage to maintain clarity. When in doubt, consider alternatives such as "pleasantly surprised", which conveys a more subtle sense of surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pleasantly surprised

Focuses more on the agreeable nature of the surprise.

favorably surprised

Highlights the positive outcome or benefit of the surprise.

delightfully surprised

Emphasizes the joy and pleasure experienced due to the surprise.

agreeably surprised

Stresses the pleasant and welcome aspect of the surprise.

unexpectedly pleased

Shifts the focus to the feeling of pleasure stemming from an unforeseen event.

happily surprised

Highlights the happiness experienced as a result of the surprise.

cheerfully surprised

Emphasizes the upbeat and cheerful feeling related to the surprise.

pleased to discover

Focuses on the act of finding something out and the associated positive feeling.

heartened to find

Highlights the encouraging or uplifting aspect of the surprise.

reassured to see

Emphasizes the comfort and confidence gained from the unexpected event.

FAQs

How can I use "positively surprised" in a sentence?

You can use "positively surprised" to describe a feeling of pleasant astonishment. For example, "I was "positively surprised" by the positive feedback on my presentation".

What's a more formal alternative to "positively surprised"?

In formal contexts, consider using "favorably impressed" or "pleasantly astonished" to convey a similar meaning. These alternatives provide a more sophisticated tone.

Is it correct to say "I was positively surprised with" something?

While understandable, it's more grammatically correct to say "I was "positively surprised" by" something. The preposition "by" indicates the cause of your surprise.

What's the difference between "pleasantly surprised" and "positively surprised"?

While both convey a sense of happiness, "positively surprised" emphasizes the intensity of the pleasant surprise. "Pleasantly surprised" is generally milder.