really astonished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really astonished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong feeling of surprise or amazement in various contexts. Example: "I was really astonished by the breathtaking performance of the dancers at the gala."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It really astonished me".

The Guardian

"Disappointment" is one thing, but was Petraeus really astonished?

The New Yorker

Wojciec Has's films, The Hourglass Sanatorium and later The Saragossa Manuscript, really astonished me.

The Guardian - Film

"He was really astonished that I was telling him that I had something that hadn't been touched since the beginning of time," said the broker, Annette LaMatto.

The New York Times

Ms Sherman said the Americans were "really astonished at today's release, which went out without our prior knowledge, that attacks the US military".

The Guardian

"There's a grain of truth in that, yes, because he was really astonished by Jurassic Park and AI needs that kind of stuff even more.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

What really astonishes in this new book are the extra-culinary insights.

The New York Times

For example, with some difficulty, you and I can read Chaucer, despite there being hundreds of years of cultural transmission containing probably billions and billions of events – it should really astonish us that cultural transmission has this fidelity.

The Guardian - Tech

But all things are not changed since those times, Oxford, for instance:"I cannot help casting my eyes on that part of your letter, where you seem to think the people of Oxford had principles; this really astonishes me, for you must know they never had any, moral or divine; party only governs". Vol. Vol

The Economist

Where the disc really astonishes is in the voices.

Los Angeles Times

What really astonishes me about these angels is the way they touch people.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really astonished" to express a strong sense of surprise or amazement, especially when emphasizing the intensity of the feeling. For softer surprise levels consider "slightly surprised".

Common error

While "really astonished" is valid, avoid overusing "really" as an intensifier in your writing. Too many "reallys" can weaken your message. Instead, vary your vocabulary with words like "truly", "utterly", or "genuinely" to maintain impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really astonished" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "really" intensifies the adjective "astonished". Ludwig confirms its correct usage, making it an effective way to express a strong feeling of surprise or amazement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "really astonished" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a strong sense of surprise or amazement. Ludwig confirms the correct usage of this phrase. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and while acceptable in formal settings, alternative phrases might sometimes be more appropriate. To enhance your writing, consider the intensity you wish to convey and avoid overusing "really" as an intensifier. By varying your vocabulary and understanding the nuances of similar phrases, you can effectively communicate your level of surprise and maintain the impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely surprised

Emphasizes the sincerity of the surprise, making it about the authenticity of the feeling.

truly amazed

Indicates a feeling of wonder and delight, rather than just surprise.

deeply impressed

Suggests admiration and respect in addition to surprise.

utterly flabbergasted

Conveys a stronger sense of speechlessness and bewilderment.

completely taken aback

Highlights the unexpected nature of the surprise.

incredibly impressed

This emphasizes the level of admiration experienced during the experience, which is more than just astonishment.

absolutely stunned

Emphasizes the state of shock and disbelief.

totally shocked

This alternative emphasizes more the feeling of being shocked instead of the feeling of amazement, adding a negative touch.

seriously impressed

This alternative emphasizes more the feeling of being impressed instead of the feeling of amazement.

greatly surprised

Implies a significant level of surprise, but not necessarily awe.

FAQs

How can I use "really astonished" in a sentence?

You can use "really astonished" to express strong surprise or amazement. For example, "I was really astonished by the magician's incredible performance".

What can I say instead of "really astonished"?

You can use alternatives like "genuinely surprised", "truly amazed", or "utterly flabbergasted" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "really astonished" or "very astonished"?

"Really astonished" and "very astonished" are similar, but "really astonished" often conveys a more genuine and heartfelt sense of surprise. Choose the one that best fits the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "really astonished" and "really surprised"?

"Astonished" implies a higher degree of amazement and wonder than "surprised". Use "really astonished" when something is not only unexpected but also causes a sense of awe. For example, receiving an unexpected gift could make you "really surprised", while witnessing a solar eclipse might leave you "really astonished".