they were startled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were startled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reaction of surprise or shock experienced by a group of people. Example: "As the loud noise echoed through the hall, they were startled and looked around in confusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"They were startled.

The Guardian

They were startled, mortified by their ignorance.

The New Yorker

But even they were startled by its popularity.

The Economist

They were startled to find women growing discontented and demanding.

The Guardian - Opinion

Other colleagues said they were startled by the news.

The New York Times

Privacy advocates in Texas said they were startled at how common the practice is.

The New York Times

The first time his players heard it, Hawkins said, they were startled, believing it was gunfire.

The New York Times - Sports

Leaders of Voice of the Faithful said they were startled by the decision.

The New York Times

The experts said they were startled by reports of the amount of cesium found in Thailand.

The New York Times

The actors admit that even they were startled by some of the material.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

When Livio and his colleagues zoomed in on several planetary nebulae with the Hubble--whose images have 10 times more resolution than earlier ones--they were startled to find such intricate patterns.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, "they were startled" can be a good way to introduce an unexpected event or discovery. However, make sure to provide context to explain what caused the startlement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overusing "they were startled" in casual conversations can sound overly formal. Opt for more casual alternatives like "they jumped" or "it surprised them" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were startled" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a reaction of surprise or shock experienced by a group of people. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, this expression is frequently found in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were startled" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a group's reaction to a sudden surprise or shock. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's particularly prevalent in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, users should consider the degree of surprise they wish to convey and adjust their phrasing accordingly, opting for more casual alternatives in informal settings such as "they jumped" or "it surprised them". Remember that similar constructions are: "they were surprised", "they were shocked", or "they were taken aback".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were surprised

Expresses a general feeling of unexpectedness, with less emphasis on shock.

they were taken aback

Highlights a sudden surprise that causes a brief pause or hesitation.

they were shocked

Indicates a strong feeling of surprise and often disbelief or dismay.

they were astonished

Suggests a great surprise, often with a sense of wonder or amazement.

they were amazed

Focuses on the feeling of wonder and admiration due to an unexpected event.

they were alarmed

Implies a sense of fear or concern caused by a sudden realization.

they were frightened

Emphasizes the feeling of fear or apprehension experienced due to a sudden event.

they were stunned

Suggests a temporary inability to react due to shock or surprise.

they were caught off guard

Highlights the lack of preparedness for an unexpected situation.

they jumped

A more informal way to describe a sudden, involuntary movement caused by surprise.

FAQs

What does "they were startled" mean?

The phrase "they were startled" means that a group of people experienced a sudden surprise or shock.

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

You can use alternatives like "they were surprised", "they were shocked", or "they were taken aback" depending on the context.

Is "they were startled" formal or informal?

The phrase "they were startled" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. More informal alternatives exist, such as "they jumped".

How to use "they were startled" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "They were reading, chatting, listening to music on CD's, or dozing when "they were startled" by thumping sounds coming from the train's undercarriage."