they were amazed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were amazed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's reaction of surprise or wonder in response to something impressive or unexpected. Example: "When the magician performed his final trick, they were amazed by the illusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They were amazed and terrified.

The New York Times

They were amazed at the response.

The New York Times

Where are all the poor people?' They were amazed.

The Guardian

They were amazed the contribution rates were so low.

The Guardian

They were amazed at the services that were provided.

The Guardian

Jeter said they were amazed at what they were seeing.

The New York Times - Sports

They were amazed by the prices of the bottles.

The New Yorker

They were amazed by his joking, his courtesy and his general lack of V.I.P. attitude.

The New York Times - Books

They were amazed when the nuclear genome also turned out to have partly European ancestry.

The New York Times - Science

Doctors later told me they were amazed he was lucid and talking when he arrived.

The New York Times

How can you stand it?" They were amazed (and perhaps even horrified).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider adding context to explain the reason for their amazement. This adds depth and clarity to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "they were amazed" in close proximity. Employ synonyms like "they were astonished" or "they were impressed" to maintain reader engagement and stylistic variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were amazed" functions as a descriptive expression indicating a group's reaction of surprise, wonder, or astonishment to a particular event, situation, or discovery. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were amazed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a group's reaction of surprise and wonder. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media. While alternatives like "they were astonished" or "they were impressed" can add nuance, "they were amazed" remains a reliable and effective choice for conveying a sense of amazement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were astonished

Emphasizes a greater level of surprise or disbelief.

they were astounded

Suggests a feeling of being overwhelmed by surprise.

they were flabbergasted

Conveys extreme surprise and bewilderment.

they were awestruck

Implies a feeling of reverence and wonder.

they were dumbfounded

Highlights a state of speechlessness due to surprise.

they were impressed

Indicates a positive reaction to something admirable or remarkable.

they were taken aback

Suggests a momentary shock or surprise.

they couldn't believe their eyes

Expresses disbelief at what was seen.

they found it incredible

Highlights the extraordinary nature of something.

it blew their minds

Informal expression indicating extreme amazement.

FAQs

How can I use "they were amazed" in a sentence?

You can use "they were amazed" to describe a group's reaction to something surprising or impressive. For example, "They presented their findings and "they were amazed" by the results."

What are some alternatives to "they were amazed"?

Alternatives include "they were astonished", "they were impressed", or "they were astounded", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they was amazed" instead of "they were amazed"?

No, "they was amazed" is grammatically incorrect. The correct plural form is "they were amazed", as "were" is the plural past tense of "to be."

What's the difference between "they were amazed" and "they were surprised"?

While both convey a sense of unexpectedness, "they were amazed" often implies a stronger feeling of wonder or admiration, whereas "they were surprised" simply indicates that something unexpected happened.