surprised with

USAGE SUMMARY

"surprised with" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most commonly used to express surprise at something, usually an action, result, or situation. For example, "I was surprised with how well the play went."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm constantly surprised with things myself.

The New Yorker

Even he was surprised with the results.

The New York Times

"I'm surprised with it, actually".

The Guardian - Sport

I'm not surprised with how Patrick played.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm surprised with the level I showed.

The Guardian - Sport

The United States surprised with the bronze.

The New York Times - Sports

We were surprised with that demand.

The Guardian - Business

"I wasn't surprised with Trott, I wasn't surprised with Swann retiring when he did.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm quite pleasantly surprised with how I feel so far".

The New York Times - Sports

"I was surprised with part of his comments.

Independent

Who is surprised with an inheritance, or disinheritance?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "surprised with", ensure the object of the preposition clearly indicates what caused the surprise. For example, "I was surprised with the quality of their work" is more effective than "I was surprised with that."

Common error

Avoid using "surprised at" or "surprised by" when the intention is to express surprise regarding something specific that was received or experienced. While not strictly incorrect, "surprised with" is typically used when the surprise relates to a particular aspect or attribute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprised with" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a subject by indicating a state of unexpected reaction or astonishment towards something. Ludwig confirms that the expression is grammatically sound and frequent in use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surprised with" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjectival phrase to express unexpected reactions. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to describe a state of astonishment or unexpectedness regarding a specific attribute or outcome. While suitable for a broad range of contexts, it appears most commonly in news media, scientific publications, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure the object of the preposition clearly specifies what prompted the surprise. While alternatives like "astonished by" or "amazed by" exist, "surprised with" maintains a unique emphasis on the specific aspect causing the surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astonished by

Replaces "surprised" with "astonished" and changes the preposition from "with" to "by".

amazed by

Substitutes "surprised" for "amazed" and uses the preposition "by".

taken aback by

Uses the idiomatic phrase "taken aback" to indicate surprise.

startled by

Replaces "surprised" with "startled", implying a sudden surprise.

astounded at

Uses "astounded" instead of "surprised" and changes the preposition to "at".

caught off guard by

Indicates a state of unpreparedness leading to surprise.

impressed by

Conveys surprise combined with admiration.

blown away by

An informal expression indicating extreme surprise.

floored by

Similar to "blown away", suggesting being overwhelmed with surprise.

unexpectedly pleased with

Adds the element of pleasure to the surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "surprised with" in a sentence?

Use "surprised with" to indicate you experienced an unexpected positive or negative reaction to something. For example, "I was "surprised with" the results of the experiment".

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

"Surprised with" often suggests a focus on a specific attribute or aspect, while "surprised by" implies a more general feeling of astonishment. Consider the nuance to choose appropriately.

Which is correct, "surprised with" or "surprised at"?

Both "surprised with" and "surprised at" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Surprised with" emphasizes the specific thing that caused the surprise, while "surprised at" is more general.

What can I say instead of "surprised with"?

You can use alternatives like "astonished by", "amazed by", or "taken aback by" depending on the context.