to be surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be surprised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a reaction of astonishment or disbelief regarding a situation or information. Example: "I was not expecting such a generous gift; I was truly surprised."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Want to be surprised?

The New York Times

But willing to be surprised.

The New York Times

Expect to be surprised.

Harvard University

"But we're willing to be surprised".

The New York Times

Should we pretend to be surprised?

The New Yorker

Elliot does not like to be surprised.

The New Yorker

"You don't want to be surprised".

The New York Times - Sports

Allow yourself to be surprised.

Harvard Business Review

I want to be surprised.

The Guardian - Arts

I need to be surprised.

The Guardian - Film

We wanted to be surprised.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be surprised" when you want to express a genuine reaction to something unexpected. Ensure the context makes it clear whether the surprise is positive, negative, or neutral.

Common error

Avoid using "to be surprised" when you actually mean 'should not be surprised'. For instance, instead of saying 'You are to be surprised if the results are different', say 'You should not be surprised if the results are different'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be surprised" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to express a state of unexpectedness or astonishment. It commonly follows auxiliary verbs (e.g., 'I expect to be surprised') or appears in passive constructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be surprised" is a versatile infinitive phrase used to express feelings of unexpectedness across various contexts. Ludwig's analysis indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in news, academic writing, and general conversation. When writing, ensure that the context clearly conveys the nature of the surprise and avoid misusing it to imply obligation. Consider alternatives such as "to be astonished" or "to be amazed" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be astonished

This alternative indicates a high level of surprise or amazement.

to be astounded

This suggests a feeling of great surprise and wonder.

to be amazed

This suggests a feeling of wonderment due to an unexpected or remarkable event.

to be startled

This implies a sudden, often physical, reaction to something unexpected.

to be taken aback

This indicates a momentary shock or bewilderment.

to be shocked

This suggests a strong emotional reaction to something unexpected and often negative.

to be caught off guard

This phrase implies a lack of preparation for an unexpected event.

to be dumbfounded

This describes being speechless with surprise or confusion.

to be flabbergasted

This indicates extreme surprise and bewilderment.

to be impressed

This indicates a feeling of admiration and positive surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "to be surprised" in a sentence?

You can use "to be surprised" to express a reaction to an unexpected event, like in the sentence, "I didn't expect to win, so I was very "surprised" when they announced my name."

What can I say instead of "to be surprised"?

Alternatives to "to be surprised" include "to be astonished", "to be amazed", or "to be taken aback", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "to be surprised at" or "to be surprised by"?

Both "to be surprised at" and "to be surprised by" are correct, but "to be surprised by" is generally more common. For example, "I was surprised by the results" is more frequently used than "I was surprised at the results".

What's the difference between "to be surprised" and "to be astonished"?

"To be surprised" is a general term for feeling unexpectedness. "To be astonished", on the other hand, indicates a much stronger feeling of amazement and wonder. Thus, "to be astonished" is a stronger form of "to be surprised".