reacted with a surprised question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reacted with a surprised question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's response that involves expressing surprise through a question. Example: "When she heard the news, she reacted with a surprised question, asking, 'Is that really true?'"

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nadal reacted with a fist pump.

The New York Times - Sports

Justice Ginsburg reacted with a broad smile.

The New York Times

The White House reacted with a noncommittal statement.

The New York Times

Strumpf reacted with a hop.

Los Angeles Times

I took his questions and implied criticism personally, and so I reacted with an attitude of defensiveness rather than generosity.

Huffington Post

Hoberg reacted with an ejection. .

Los Angeles Times

When her credentials as a Hope are questioned, she reacts with a whiny petulance.

The New York Times - Books

Boys often react with a smile.

WikiHow

Canadians have reacted with dismay to reports US President Donald Trump questioned whether Canada burned down the White House during a call with the country's leader, Justin Trudeau.

BBC

A few others reacted with awe.

The New York Times

These questions set off a firestorm of controversy, and Puritan Massachusetts reacted with fear and heavy-handed persecution, determined to prevent the Baptist contagion from spreading.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reacted with a surprised question", ensure the context clearly establishes what caused the surprise and that the question is a direct result of that surprise. This makes the response logical and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "reacted with a surprised question" excessively in descriptive passages. This phrase is more effective when used sparingly to highlight key moments of surprise and inquiry rather than as a standard narrative device. Consider varying your descriptions of reactions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reacted with a surprised question" functions as a descriptive element, typically used to detail how someone responds to unexpected or startling information. It highlights both the emotional state (surprise) and the form of the response (a question). Ludwig AI confirms that is correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reacted with a surprised question" is a grammatically correct expression used to depict a response combining surprise and inquiry. While Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness, it's relatively infrequent in usage. When employing this phrase, clarity and contextual relevance are key to effectively convey the blend of emotion and interrogation. Given its nuance, related phrases like "responded with a questioning look of surprise" may provide suitable alternatives depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

responded with a questioning look of surprise

Changes the verb to "responded" and describes the surprise as a visual expression.

replied with a startled inquiry

Replaces "reacted" with "replied" and uses "startled" to convey surprise, framing the question as a formal inquiry.

answered with a shocked question

Emphasizes the shock aspect of the surprise, using "shocked" instead of "surprised".

inquired with astonishment

Replaces "reacted with a surprised question" with a more concise expression emphasizing astonishment.

expressed surprise through a query

Focuses on expressing surprise, using "query" as a formal way of saying question.

showed surprise and asked a question

Simplifies the structure, separating the surprise and the question into distinct actions.

looked surprised and questioned

Describes the reaction as a visual cue combined with the act of questioning.

manifested a questioning surprise

Combines the surprise and question into a single, abstract concept.

displayed a surprised interrogation

Uses "interrogation" to suggest a more intense or probing line of questioning.

voiced a surprised query

Emphasizes the act of vocalizing the question, making it a "query".

FAQs

How can I use "reacted with a surprised question" in a sentence?

You can use "reacted with a surprised question" to describe someone's response to unexpected information, such as, "When she heard the news, she "reacted with a surprised question", asking if it was really true."

What can I say instead of "reacted with a surprised question"?

You can use alternatives like "responded with a questioning look of surprise", "replied with a startled inquiry", or "answered with a shocked question" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "reacted with a surprised question" or "asked a surprised question"?

"Reacted with a surprised question" is more descriptive, implying a reaction leading to the question. "Asked a surprised question" is grammatically correct but less common, directly linking the emotion to the question itself.

What's the difference between "reacted with a surprised question" and "responded with a surprised answer"?

"Reacted with a surprised question" indicates the initial reaction was a question driven by surprise. "Responded with a surprised answer" implies the surprise came before and the answer reflected that surprise, suggesting two distinct actions.