utterly flabbergasted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly flabbergasted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express extreme surprise or shock in various contexts, often when something unexpected occurs. Example: "When she revealed the surprise party, I was utterly flabbergasted and couldn't find the words to respond."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When the parrot abruptly uttered a sentence in Italian, I was utterly flabbergasted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I'm absolutely flabbergasted".

The New York Times

"I'm absolutely flabbergasted," she says.

The Guardian - Film

"I'm absolutely flabbergasted," he said.

The New York Times

The women were absolutely flabbergasted".

The New York Times

Even flabbergasted.

The Guardian - Books

Many pundits were flabbergasted.

The New Yorker

She was flabbergasted.

The New York Times - Arts

She'll be flabbergasted.

The New York Times

He was flabbergasted.

The Guardian

Mr. Klahr was flabbergasted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly flabbergasted" to emphasize an extreme level of surprise or astonishment. This phrase is most effective when the situation warrants a strong reaction and you want to convey a sense of being truly taken aback.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly flabbergasted" in everyday, commonplace situations. The phrase's intensity can sound unnatural if the context doesn't justify such a strong emotional response. Reserve it for genuinely surprising or shocking events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly flabbergasted" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, expressing a state of extreme surprise or astonishment. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and conveys a strong emotional reaction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly flabbergasted" is an adjective phrase used to express extreme surprise or astonishment. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct. The phrase is relatively rare, mainly found in News & Media contexts. It's crucial to use this phrase in situations that warrant a strong emotional response to avoid sounding unnatural. Alternative phrases, such as "completely astonished" or "totally shocked", can be used depending on the context. Reserve this phrase for situations where someone is truly taken aback by something unexpected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely astonished

Replaces "flabbergasted" with "astonished" and "utterly" with "completely", emphasizing total amazement.

totally shocked

Substitutes "flabbergasted" with "shocked" and "utterly" with "totally", indicating a strong feeling of surprise and disbelief.

absolutely stunned

Replaces "flabbergasted" with "stunned" and "utterly" with "absolutely", conveying a sense of being overwhelmed with surprise.

flabbergasted to the extreme

Emphasizes the degree of being "flabbergasted" by adding "to the extreme".

incredulously surprised

Replaces the entire phrase with an adverb-adjective combination emphasizing disbelief and surprise.

dumbfounded beyond words

Indicates a state of speechlessness due to extreme surprise and astonishment.

awestruck and speechless

Conveys a feeling of being amazed and unable to speak due to something impressive or surprising.

taken aback completely

Replaces the original phrase with an idiom that suggests being surprised and disconcerted.

utterly amazed and bewildered

Expands the original phrase to include both amazement and confusion, highlighting the intensity of surprise.

completely taken by surprise

Indicates a state of being caught off guard, resulting in complete surprise.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "utterly flabbergasted" in a sentence?

Use "utterly flabbergasted" to describe a situation where someone experiences extreme surprise or shock. For example, "When she revealed the surprise party, I was utterly flabbergasted and couldn't find the words to respond."

What are some alternatives to "utterly flabbergasted"?

You can use alternatives like "completely astonished", "totally shocked", or "absolutely stunned" depending on the context.

Is "utterly flabbergasted" formal or informal?

"Utterly flabbergasted" leans towards a neutral register but can be used in both formal and informal contexts when describing a high degree of surprise or shock. The appropriateness depends on the specific situation and audience.

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

"Utterly flabbergasted" expresses a very strong feeling of surprise, almost to the point of disbelief or shock. In contrast, "slightly surprised" indicates a mild and less intense level of astonishment.