questioned with astonishment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "questioned with astonishment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is surprised or shocked while asking a question. Example: "She questioned with astonishment how anyone could believe such a ridiculous story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several recent books and a documentary have questioned his honesty and integrity, and his appointment to chair the commission by President Bush was greeted with astonishment among many commentators.

The Guardian

Women watched with astonishment as Hill sat at a witness table and answered the most horrific and embarrassing questions from male senators.

The Washington Post

I read this with astonishment.

The New Yorker

I shake my head with astonishment.

The New Yorker

The students welcome her with astonishment.

The New York Times

I read the story about Professor Rosen with astonishment.

Princeton University

My patients would look at me with astonishment.

The New Yorker

She looked at me with astonishment.

The New York Times - Arts

We lived with astonishment last year through the revolutions in Eastern Europe.

The New York Times

"Tyrea has no family," Hawkins says with astonishment.

The Washington Post

Voices stiffened with shock, with astonishment, with disbelief.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "questioned with astonishment", ensure the context clearly establishes the reason for the astonishment to enhance the impact of the phrase. Avoid overuse to maintain its effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "questioned with astonishment" when a simpler expression of inquiry would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make writing sound melodramatic or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "questioned with astonishment" functions as a verb phrase that describes the manner in which a question is posed. It combines the verb "questioned" with a prepositional phrase ("with astonishment") to modify the verb and provide additional detail about the emotional state of the questioner. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "questioned with astonishment" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys surprise or disbelief during questioning. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not exceedingly common, its primary use appears in news, academic, and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "inquired with disbelief" and "asked in amazement". When using the phrase, writers should ensure the context supports the expression of astonishment, avoiding overuse to maintain its impact. Common errors include using the phrase when a simpler question would suffice. Overall, "questioned with astonishment" serves to add an emotional layer to the act of questioning, making it a valuable tool for expressive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inquired with disbelief

Replaces "astonishment" with "disbelief", focusing on the lack of belief.

Asked in amazement

Uses "amazement" instead of "astonishment", highlighting a sense of wonder.

Queried with incredulity

Replaces "astonishment" with "incredulity", emphasizing the inability to believe something.

Interrogated with surprise

Emphasizes the act of questioning being driven by surprise.

Probed with bewilderment

Highlights the confusion and lack of understanding during the questioning.

Demanded with shock

Conveys a more forceful questioning style driven by shock.

Examined with wonder

Suggests a more thoughtful and curious questioning approach.

Challenged with disbelief

Highlights a confrontational aspect where the questioner doubts the validity of something.

Pressed with astonishment

Emphasizes the insistence of the questioning due to the astonishment felt.

Enquired with bafflement

Replaces "astonishment" with "bafflement", emphasizing a state of being perplexed.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "questioned with astonishment" in a sentence?

Use "questioned with astonishment" when you want to emphasize the surprise or disbelief someone feels while asking a question. For example, "She "questioned with astonishment" how anyone could believe such a ridiculous story".

What are some alternatives to "questioned with astonishment"?

You can use alternatives like "inquired with disbelief", "asked in amazement", or "queried with incredulity depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

When is it inappropriate to use "questioned with astonishment"?

It's best to avoid using "questioned with astonishment" in very formal or technical writing where a more neutral tone is preferred. In those contexts, a straightforward question is more suitable.

What distinguishes "questioned with astonishment" from simply "asked"?

"Questioned with astonishment" adds an emotional layer to the act of asking, highlighting the questioner's surprise or disbelief. "Asked" is a neutral term, while ""questioned with astonishment"" emphasizes the emotional state behind the inquiry.