shocked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shocked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong emotional reaction to something surprising or unexpected. Example: "I was shocked to hear about the sudden changes in the company policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In fact, I find myself reacting much like Captain Renault in the film Casablanca, when he declares himself "shocked – shocked – to find that gambling is going on" at Rick's.

The Guardian - Money

Many profess to be shocked by Katie's naked ambition.

The Guardian

Steve Hibbert, bar manager at the Oaks Working Men's Club, where Pugh is employed, said he was shocked to see him being carried away from the scene on a stretcher in television footage.

The Guardian

I said to Anders, 'Let's see what science and psychology have to tell us about love and relationship break-up.'" Both men were shocked by how little good science there was.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The thing that bugs me is that allegedly the staff at the crematorium were so shocked every time they did a cremation with infant remains they told superiors," she said.

The Guardian

Related: Fifa whistleblower Chuck Blazer: I took bribes over 1998 and 2010 World Cups Fikile Mbalula, the sports minister, also admitted he was "shocked" by the resignation of Fifa's president, Sepp Blatter.

The Guardian - Sport

"Everybody will be shocked and deeply saddened to hear Charles Kennedy has died," Labour's interim leader said in a statement.

The Guardian

A next-door neighbour said he occasionally had brief conversations with a man who sometimes came in and out of the house, but it was always calm there and he was shocked by the news.

The Guardian

Pretty much everyone, on the other hand, who reads a newspaper or watches TV says they feel shocked by their portrayal.

The Guardian

People are shocked – I don't think anyone knows what to think," he said.

The Guardian

The shadow energy secretary, Caroline Flint, said she was "shocked" by revelations about the credit windfall, which she said was "unacceptable".

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "astonished", "appalled", or "stunned" to add nuance and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "shocked" to describe mild surprise or minor inconvenience. The word implies a significant emotional impact. For less intense situations, consider words like "surprised" or "intrigued".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "shocked" functions primarily to describe a state of surprise or dismay, often in response to unexpected or disturbing news or events. Ludwig highlights its appropriate usage in various contexts, emphasizing its role in conveying a strong emotional reaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shocked" is a versatile adjective used to convey a strong feeling of surprise or dismay. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's acceptable to use it in both formal and informal settings, it's crucial to reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant a strong emotional response, avoiding its overuse in mild scenarios. By using synonyms like "astonished" or "stunned", writers can enhance the nuance and impact of their writing. Be aware of using the right preposition, "by", after "shocked".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprised

A general term for feeling unexpectedness.

astonished

Implies a great surprise or amazement, often to a positive degree.

stunned

Implies being temporarily overwhelmed or speechless due to surprise.

appalled

Suggests a feeling of disgust and outrage, more intense than simply being shocked.

aghast

Filled with horror or shock.

flabbergasted

Suggests extreme surprise and bewilderment.

dismayed

Indicates a feeling of disappointment and discouragement.

incredulous

Expressing disbelief or skepticism.

speechless

Temporarily unable to speak due to surprise or emotion.

taken aback

Suggests a mild surprise or bewilderment.

FAQs

How to use "shocked" in a sentence?

You can use "shocked" to describe a feeling of surprise or dismay, for example: "I was shocked by the news" or "People were shocked by the announcement".

What can I say instead of "shocked"?

You can use alternatives like "astonished", "surprised", or "stunned" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am shocked of" instead of "I am shocked by"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "shocked" in this context is "by". It's grammatically correct to say "I am shocked by".

What's the difference between "shocked" and "surprised"?

"Shocked" implies a stronger emotional reaction than "surprised". "Shocked" suggests a feeling of disbelief and dismay, while "surprised" is a more general term for unexpectedness.