startled at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "startled at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's reaction to a sudden or unexpected event. For example, "He was startled at the sudden loud noise coming from the kitchen".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I was startled at the directness.

The New York Times

She was startled at his boldness and assertiveness.

The New York Times

Privacy advocates in Texas said they were startled at how common the practice is.

The New York Times

"I was startled at all the issues that still remain 25 years later".

The New York Times

So even though these grown men look slightly startled at her attentions, they don't protest.

The New York Times

Alex is startled at how old she looks, compared to the photograph.

The New Yorker

(Cooder says he was startled at a rehearsal when one of them announced, "Today's our birthday").

The New Yorker

"We're always startled at the level of trust and honesty," Mrs. Beckwith said.

The New York Times

Indeed, even the home fans seemed startled at their good fortune.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think the commission was frankly sort of startled at that number," he said.

The New York Times

I remember now – the guy who briefly looked fairly startled at how drunk Emma Thompson seemed.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "startled at", ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the sudden surprise or shock. For example, "She was startled at the unexpected phone call".

Common error

Avoid using other prepositions in place of 'at' with "startled". While 'by' or 'with' might seem appropriate, "startled at" is the conventional and grammatically sound choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "startled at" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase, indicating a state of sudden surprise or alarm in response to a specific stimulus. It modifies a noun or pronoun, illustrating their reaction to something unexpected. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Reference

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

6%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "startled at" is a grammatically sound and common phrase used to describe a sudden feeling of surprise or alarm. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this expression effectively conveys a reaction to unexpected stimuli. The authoritative sources and Ludwig AI's assessment confirm its validity and broad applicability. While alternatives such as "surprised by" exist, "startled at" provides a specific nuance of sudden, perhaps slightly fearful, surprise. Therefore, it remains a valuable and precise choice in a writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

startled by the

Slightly alters the phrasing while maintaining the core meaning.

taken by surprise at

Reorders the words, emphasizing the act of being surprised.

surprised by

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the event causing surprise.

surprised to see

Highlights the visual aspect of the surprise.

taken aback by

Emphasizes a moment of shock or bewilderment.

caught off guard by

Indicates a lack of preparation for the event.

astonished by

Suggests a higher degree of amazement or disbelief.

amazed by

Implies a feeling of wonder and delight.

shocked by

Indicates a strong feeling of distress or offense.

alarmed by

Conveys a sense of fear or concern.

FAQs

How can I use "startled at" in a sentence?

Use "startled at" to describe a sudden feeling of surprise or alarm caused by something unexpected. For example, "He was "startled at" the loud bang".

What are some alternatives to "startled at"?

You can use alternatives like "surprised by", "taken aback by", or "astonished by" depending on the context and intensity of the feeling.

Is it correct to say "startled by" instead of "startled at"?

While "startled by" is sometimes used, ""startled at"" is generally considered more precise when specifying the direct cause of the surprise.

What's the difference between "startled at" and "surprised by"?

"Startled at" often implies a more sudden and perhaps slightly fearful reaction, whereas "surprised by" can denote a milder, less intense feeling of unexpectedness.