surprised by how

USAGE SUMMARY

"surprised by how" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when describing a surprise or shock when confronted by something unexpected. Example sentence: "I was surprised by how quickly the entire project was completed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She's surprised by how frightening it is.

The New Yorker

"I'm surprised by how quiet it is.

The Guardian - Business

We were still surprised by how quickly it got here".

The New Yorker

"But people are surprised by how strong he is.

Independent

Mr. Simon was surprised by how much he missed her.

The New York Times

In some cases, I was surprised by how successful.

The New York Times

"I was really surprised by how clean it was here.

The New York Times

Overall, I was surprised by how daring the report was.

The New York Times

I was surprised by how open they were.

The New York Times

They are invariably surprised by how dirty she is.

The New York Times - Food

Rolph is surprised by how angry he is.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surprised by how" to express unexpected reactions to a particular quality or characteristic. Ensure that the 'how' clause clearly identifies the specific aspect causing surprise.

Common error

Avoid substituting "surprised at" for "surprised by how" when you want to emphasize the manner or extent of something. "Surprised at" is usually followed by a noun, not a clause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprised by how" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject. It expresses a feeling of unexpectedness regarding the manner, degree, or extent to which something is true or occurs. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to introduce a clause that explains the cause of the surprise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surprised by how" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for expressing unexpected reactions. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase serves to highlight a speaker's surprise at the manner or extent of something. Ludwig AI affirms its usability, noting its prevalence across various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid confusion with similar constructions like "surprised at". Alternatives include "astonished at how" or "amazed at how", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase is widely used and understood, making it a reliable choice for expressing surprise in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astonished at how

Focuses more on the intensity of the surprise or shock, suggesting a higher degree of amazement.

amazed at how

Implies a sense of wonder or delight in addition to the surprise, suggesting a positive reaction.

taken aback by how

Highlights the unexpectedness and potential disorientation caused by the situation.

caught off guard by how

Emphasizes the lack of preparation or anticipation for the situation, leading to surprise.

shocked at how

Suggests a strong negative surprise, often associated with disbelief or dismay.

startled by how

Implies a sudden and brief moment of surprise, often due to a sudden or unexpected event.

impressed by how

Highlights a positive surprise, where something exceeds expectations and evokes admiration.

flabbergasted by how

Indicates extreme surprise and bewilderment, often leaving one speechless or unable to react.

dumbfounded by how

Suggests a state of being temporarily unable to speak or think clearly due to surprise.

incredulous at how

Expresses disbelief or skepticism in addition to the surprise, suggesting something seems too improbable.

FAQs

How can I use "surprised by how" in a sentence?

Use "surprised by how" to express that something has an unexpected quality or extent. For example, "I was "surprised by how" easy it was to assemble the furniture".

What are some alternatives to "surprised by how"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "astonished at how", "amazed at how", or "taken aback by how" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "surprised at how" instead of "surprised by how"?

While "surprised at" is grammatically correct, it is typically followed by a noun or noun phrase. "Surprised by how" is used to introduce a clause explaining the reason for the surprise.

What's the difference between "surprised by" and "surprised by how"?

"Surprised by" generally refers to a reaction to something, while "surprised by how" specifies the manner or degree to which something is surprising. For example, "I was surprised by the gift" vs. "I was "surprised by how" thoughtful the gift was".