they were shocked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were shocked" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which a group of people experienced a state of surprise or astonishment. For example, "The students were shocked when their teacher announced the final exam would be held the next day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were shocked, SHOCKED, to hear talk of toll hikes.

The New York Times

They were shocked.

The New York Times - Sports

"They were shocked," Ballard said.

The New York Times - Sports

And often they were shocked.

The Guardian

They were shocked by her appearance.

The New York Times

They were shocked at that price".

The New Yorker

They were shocked to learn it didn't.

The New York Times

BOEHNER: I would say they were shocked.

The Washington Post

This is Newark?' They were shocked".

The New York Times

"When investors heard this, they were shocked".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"My parents weren't happy they were shocked.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were shocked" when describing a collective reaction of surprise or disbelief, especially when the cause is unexpected or unsettling. Ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "they were shocked" when the subject is unclear or could refer to multiple groups. Always ensure that "they" has a clear and unambiguous reference in the preceding context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were shocked" primarily functions as a declarative statement. It asserts that a group of individuals experienced shock. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, demonstrated by numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were shocked" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a group's reaction to something unexpected or surprising. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the subject "they" is clearly defined and that the context supports the expression of surprise or disbelief. While versatile, consider synonyms like "they were astonished" or "they were amazed" to add nuance to your writing. Be mindful of potential ambiguity and adjust the phrasing to suit the formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were astonished

Replaces "shocked" with "astonished", indicating a high degree of surprise and wonder.

they were amazed

Uses "amazed" instead of "shocked", suggesting a strong feeling of wonder and surprise.

they were surprised

Substitutes "shocked" with "surprised", offering a more general term for unexpectedness.

they couldn't believe it

Expresses disbelief instead of shock, highlighting the difficulty in accepting something.

they were taken aback

Replaces "shocked" with "taken aback", implying a sudden and surprising effect.

they were stunned

Uses "stunned" to convey a state of shock that leaves them speechless or unable to react.

they were floored

Substitutes "shocked" with "floored", suggesting being overwhelmed by surprise or emotion.

they were astounded

Replaces "shocked" with "astounded", emphasizing a great surprise or amazement.

they were incredulous

Uses "incredulous" instead of "shocked", focusing on the inability to believe something is true.

they were dismayed

Replaces "shocked" with "dismayed", implying a combination of surprise and disappointment.

FAQs

What does "they were shocked" mean?

The phrase "they were shocked" indicates that a group of people experienced a sudden and strong feeling of surprise or dismay, often due to an unexpected or disturbing event.

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

You can use "they were shocked" to describe a group's reaction to surprising news or an unexpected event. For example, "When the company announced layoffs, "they were shocked" and worried about their future."

What can I say instead of "they were shocked"?

You can use alternatives like "they were astonished", "they were amazed", or "they were surprised" depending on the context.

Is "they were shocked at" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were shocked at" is grammatically correct. You can use it to specify what caused their shock. For example, "They were shocked at the high price of the tickets."