really surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really surprised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong feeling of surprise or astonishment about something. Example: "I was really surprised to hear that she won the award."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Really surprised.

The New York Times

"I was really surprised.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm really surprised.

The New York Times

"I'm really surprised by this.

The New York Times

He was really surprised".

The Guardian

Sometimes, they're really surprised.

The New York Times - Style

"Genuinely really, really surprised".

The Guardian - Tech

People are really surprised".

The New York Times - Style

He really surprised me".

The New York Times - Sports

But not really surprised.

The New Yorker

I'm obviously really surprised".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really surprised" to convey a heightened sense of astonishment, especially when something significantly exceeds expectations. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, adding emphasis to your expression of surprise.

Common error

While "really surprised" is acceptable, excessive use can make your writing sound less sophisticated. In formal contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "utterly astonished" or "genuinely amazed" to convey a more refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really surprised" functions as an adjectival phrase, where the adverb "really" modifies the adjective "surprised", intensifying the feeling of astonishment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really surprised" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase for expressing a strong feeling of astonishment. Ludwig AI confirms this. While suitable for many contexts, more formal writing might benefit from stronger synonyms like "genuinely astonished". The phrase appears frequently in News & Media sources, and to a lesser extent, in Science. When using "really surprised", consider the audience and desired level of formality to ensure the tone is appropriate. Overusing the phrase can detract from the sophistication of your writing. Remember that Ludwig provides numerous examples to further enhance your understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely surprised

Emphasizes the authenticity and sincerity of the surprise.

honestly astonished

Emphasizes the honesty and unexpected feeling of astonishment.

truly astonished

Highlights the magnitude of the surprise, suggesting a deeper level of astonishment.

sincerely amazed

Highlights the sincere and heartfelt nature of the amazement.

utterly amazed

Conveys a complete and profound sense of wonder and surprise.

actually surprised

Highlights that the surprise is real and contrary to what might have been expected.

completely taken aback

Indicates being caught off guard and significantly surprised by something unexpected.

quite astonished

Indicates a notable level of surprise, less intense than "utterly amazed" but still significant.

absolutely shocked

Expresses a strong feeling of surprise and disbelief, often in response to something negative or unexpected.

incredibly startled

Focuses on the sudden and unexpected nature of the surprise, emphasizing the shock.

FAQs

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

You can use "really surprised" to express a strong feeling of astonishment. For example, "I was "really surprised" to see her at the party" or "They were "really surprised" by the positive feedback".

What can I say instead of "really surprised"?

You can use alternatives like "genuinely surprised", "truly astonished", or "utterly amazed" depending on the intensity you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "really surprised"?

Yes, "really surprised" is grammatically correct. "Really" functions as an adverb modifying the adjective "surprised", indicating the degree or extent of surprise.

What is the difference between "surprised" and "really surprised"?

"Surprised" indicates a general feeling of astonishment, while "really surprised" implies a more significant or heightened level of surprise. The addition of "really" intensifies the emotion.