she was startled

USAGE SUMMARY

'she was startled' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone experienced a sudden surprise or fright. Example: When the door unexpectedly slammed shut behind her, she was startled.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"She was startled.

The New York Times

She was startled by what happened next.

The New York Times

"She was startled, to say the least".

The New York Times

She was startled by the whoosh of the toilet.

The New York Times - Sports

She was startled at his boldness and assertiveness.

The New York Times

She was startled by the sound of his voice.

The New York Times - Magazine

Having never shared the tale, she was startled by how little time it took to tell.

The New Yorker

Upon arrival she was startled to realize that she didn't know his number.

The New York Times

For a second, she was startled by the idea that Rudolfo could be among them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

She's startled.

The New Yorker

She's startled, then sarcastic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine the phrase with descriptive details to enhance the impact. For example: "She was startled by the sudden clap of thunder, her hand flying to her chest".

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of passive voice constructions like "she was startled" can make your writing sound less direct. Consider revising to an active voice where appropriate, such as "The noise startled her".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was startled" functions as an independent clause, specifically describing a state of being. Grammatically, it uses the passive voice of the verb 'startle' to indicate that the subject 'she' is the recipient of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she was startled" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to describe a sudden surprise or brief alarm. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and applicable across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the active voice for more direct writing. Alternatives like "she was surprised" or "she was shocked" may be more fitting depending on the desired nuance. Mastering the use of "she was startled" enriches your ability to depict character reactions in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was shocked

Implies a greater level of surprise and emotional impact than the original phrase.

she was taken aback

Indicates a sudden surprise that causes a momentary pause or hesitation.

she was surprised

A milder form of surprise, lacking the element of alarm that "startled" suggests.

she was alarmed

Highlights the feeling of fear or concern caused by the sudden surprise.

she was frightened

Stronger emphasis on the fear aspect compared to being merely 'startled'.

she recoiled

Suggests a stronger reaction of drawing back in surprise or disgust.

she was unnerved

Implies a loss of composure or confidence due to the surprise.

she jumped

Focuses on the physical reaction to being startled, emphasizing a sudden movement.

she flinched

Similar to 'jumped' but implies a more restrained, involuntary reaction.

she gasped

Focuses on the audible intake of breath as a reaction to being startled.

FAQs

What does "she was startled" mean?

The phrase "she was startled" means that a woman experienced a sudden, often unexpected surprise, shock, or slight alarm. It implies a brief, involuntary reaction to something sudden.

What can I say instead of "she was startled"?

You can use alternatives like "she was surprised", "she was shocked", or "she was taken aback" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "she was startled by" something?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "she was startled by" something. The "by" indicates the cause or source of the surprise. For example, "She was startled by the loud noise".

How can I use "she was startled" in a sentence?

You can use "she was startled" to describe someone's reaction to a sudden event. For example: "She was startled when the phone rang in the middle of the night", or "She was startled by the sudden appearance of a cat".