totally flabbergasted

USAGE SUMMARY

'totally flabbergasted' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe being extremely surprised or amazed by something. Example: When I saw how quickly my friend solved the math problem, I was totally flabbergasted.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

We were totally flabbergasted".

The New Yorker

"I would have been totally flabbergasted to find any," he said.

The New Yorker

He says, 'How would you like to play for the Yankees?' I give him a look, totally flabbergasted.

The Washington Post

'Ron's father thought it was degrading and disgusting, and his older brother was totally flabbergasted,' O'Leary said.

The Guardian

Mr. Sebak, who produced the critically lauded PBS specials "An Ice Cream Show" and "A Hot Dog Program," said that he and his crew "have been totally flabbergasted by it all".

The New York Times

"When I think about standing in front of Nathan's with Max Rosey," said Wayne Norbitz, who began working there in 1975 and has been its president since 1989, "and a card table with a couple plates of hot dogs in the mid-'70s, and I see what this has evolved into, I'm totally flabbergasted by it".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The Nobel Prize completely flabbergasted him.

The New York Times - Science

We were completely flabbergasted.

Vice

Caught totally by surprise by the whole ghastly mess, the American officials involved with the training program were reportedly flabbergasted.

Huffington Post

Even flabbergasted.

The Guardian - Books

Cranley was flabbergasted.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more formal alternatives like "completely astonished" or "utterly surprised" in professional or academic writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Common error

While effective in casual conversation, repeatedly using "totally flabbergasted" in formal documents can diminish the writing's professional impact. Vary your vocabulary to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally flabbergasted" functions as an adjective phrase, where "totally" intensifies the adjective "flabbergasted." It describes a state of being overwhelmed with surprise or astonishment. Ludwig AI indicates this is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally flabbergasted" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong feeling of surprise or amazement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from reliable sources, predominantly in the News & Media category. While effective in informal communication, it is essential to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "completely astonished" or "utterly surprised" in professional or academic settings. Be careful not to overuse "totally flabbergasted" in formal contexts, as it may diminish the writing's professional impact. The phrase's linguistic function is to act as an adjective phrase to express the emotional state of surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely astonished

Emphasizes surprise to a higher degree, suggesting utter amazement.

utterly dumbfounded

Highlights speechlessness and confusion due to surprise.

absolutely amazed

Focuses on the positive aspect of surprise, suggesting wonder.

entirely surprised

A more general term, indicating a complete lack of expectation.

thoroughly shocked

Indicates a strong negative surprise, often associated with disbelief.

wholly bewildered

Highlights the confusing and perplexing nature of the surprise.

totally surprised

A more neutral phrase, indicating a simple lack of anticipation.

taken aback

Suggests a mild form of surprise that causes a temporary pause.

caught off guard

Emphasizes the unpreparedness when the surprise occurred.

incredulous

Focuses on the inability to believe what has happened or been said.

FAQs

How can I use "totally flabbergasted" in a sentence?

You can use "totally flabbergasted" to describe a feeling of extreme surprise or amazement. For example, "I was "totally flabbergasted" when I won the lottery."

What can I say instead of "totally flabbergasted"?

You can use alternatives like "completely astonished", "utterly dumbfounded", or "absolutely amazed" depending on the context.

Is "totally flabbergasted" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "totally flabbergasted" is generally more appropriate for informal settings. Consider using more formal synonyms like "completely astonished" or "entirely surprised" in formal writing.

What's the difference between "totally flabbergasted" and "slightly surprised"?

"Totally flabbergasted" conveys a much stronger sense of surprise or amazement than "slightly surprised". The former suggests being overwhelmed by astonishment, while the latter indicates a mild degree of surprise.