startled to notice

USAGE SUMMARY

"startled to notice" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing surprise or shock at realizing something. Example: "I was startled to notice the changes in her behavior." Alternative expressions include "surprised to see" and "shocked to find."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While studying corals in eastern Australia and Japan, he was startled to notice that these species inhabiting some of the southernmost and northernmost ranges of staghorn coral seemed restricted to shallow water.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were startled to find women growing discontented and demanding.

The Guardian - Opinion

People will start to notice!

WikiHow

Medical workers and race volunteers along the course seemed startled to see her. "They were all watching me, I did notice that," said Miller.

The New York Times

Svetlana noticed a woman she considered to be ugly and old, and was startled to learn that it was her son's wife.

The New Yorker

"She was startled, to say the least".

The New York Times

At first, I am startled to see him.

The New Yorker

Wolf herself was startled to hear about the censorship.

The Guardian - Books

He was startled to see a vacant lot.

The New York Times

I was obviously startled to see them: Mom.

The New York Times - Sports

Even my fingers and toes have startled to tingle.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "startled to notice" to convey a sense of surprise or sudden realization based on something observed. For example: "I was startled to notice how much she had changed."

Common error

Avoid using "startled to notice" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "surprised to see" or "shocked to find" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "startled to notice" functions as a verb phrase expressing a sudden realization or surprise upon observing something. Ludwig AI identifies its use in describing personal reactions to unexpected discoveries or observations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "startled to notice" is a versatile phrase used to express a moment of surprise or sudden realization upon observing something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, wiki and science. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to avoid overuse and vary language with synonyms like "surprised to see" or "shocked to find". Remember to use "startled to notice" to convey that something unexpected has been observed. Understanding these nuances will help you use the phrase effectively and avoid common writing errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprised to see

Emphasizes visual discovery, less about the emotional reaction.

shocked to find

Highlights a stronger negative surprise or disbelief.

stunned to realize

Emphasizes the overwhelming effect of understanding something.

taken aback by the realization

Focuses on the disorienting effect of understanding something.

astonished to observe

Suggests a high degree of amazement upon watching something.

caught off guard by the discovery

Underscores the unexpected nature of the finding.

awakened to the fact

Suggests a sudden awareness, often after a period of ignorance.

amazed to learn

Implies delight or wonder in acquiring new information.

disconcerted to perceive

Highlights unease or confusion upon noticing something.

appalled to witness

Indicates strong disapproval or disgust at what was seen.

FAQs

What does "startled to notice" mean?

It means being surprised or shocked when you realize something. It implies that the realization was sudden and unexpected.

What can I say instead of "startled to notice"?

You can use alternatives like "surprised to see", "shocked to find", or "taken aback by the realization" depending on the context.

Is "startled to notice" formal or informal?

"Startled to notice" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal options like "astonished to observe" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

How to use "startled to notice" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe your reaction to an unexpected observation. For example: "I was "startled to notice" the empty space where the painting used to hang."