stand in awe

USAGE SUMMARY

"stand in awe" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that expresses a feeling of fascination, admiration, or respect that can be used in different contexts. For example, "We stood in awe of the beautiful sunset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I stand in awe".

The New York Times

We stand in awe.

The Guardian - Film

It made me stand in awe".

The New York Times - Science

"I stand in awe of our soldiers".

The New York Times

We stand in awe of Mr Brown's vision.

The Economist

Judith Miller, I stand in awe of your actions.

The New York Times

I stand in awe of his political abilities".

The New York Times

"You find growth rates there that make you stand in awe".

The New York Times

We'll stand in awe of our latest magnificent machine, for a season or two.

The New York Times

Tourists "do" places and rarely get the chance to stand in awe and wonder.

The Guardian

We gasp at the tilework, stand in awe at the intricacy of the plasterwork.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stand in awe" to express a feeling of deep respect, admiration, or wonder when encountering something impressive or extraordinary. For example, "We stood in awe of the artist's incredible talent."

Common error

Avoid using "stand in awe" in casual or trivial situations. The phrase implies a significant emotional response, so reserve it for moments of genuine wonder or admiration. Overusing it can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stand in awe" functions as an idiomatic expression, serving primarily as a verbal phrase to describe a state of profound admiration, wonder, or reverence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is widely used and understood in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stand in awe" is a frequently used and grammatically sound idiomatic expression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a state of profound admiration or wonder. Primarily found in News & Media, it conveys a strong emotional response to something impressive. When writing, use "stand in awe" to express genuine wonder or admiration, avoiding overuse in trivial contexts. Consider alternatives like "be amazed by" or "marvel at" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experience awe and wonder

More explicitly states the experiencing of both feelings.

marvel at

A concise way to express great surprise and admiration.

feel a sense of wonder

Emphasizes the internal feeling of wonder rather than an external display.

be amazed by

Emphasizes the feeling of amazement, suggesting a strong sense of surprise and admiration.

be filled with wonder

Replaces "stand" with "be filled", focusing on the emotional state of wonder.

gaze in wonder

Highlights the act of gazing and the feeling of wonder experienced while doing so.

look upon with admiration

Focuses on the act of looking and the feeling of admiration associated with it.

hold in high esteem

Focuses on the respect and admiration held for someone or something.

regard with reverence

Highlights the aspect of deep respect and veneration.

be struck by the grandeur

Highlights the impressive or magnificent quality of something.

FAQs

How can I use "stand in awe" in a sentence?

Use "stand in awe" to describe a feeling of profound respect, admiration, or wonder. For example, "The audience stood in awe as the orchestra played the final movement."

What's a good alternative to "stand in awe"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be amazed by", "marvel at", or "be filled with wonder".

Is it correct to say "standing in awe"?

Yes, "standing in awe" is grammatically correct and functions as a present participle phrase. For example, "Standing in awe, she watched the sunrise over the mountains."

What is the difference between "stand in awe" and "stand in respect"?

"Stand in awe" implies a feeling of wonder and admiration, while "stand in respect" suggests a feeling of deference and honor. Awe is a stronger emotion than respect.