utterly surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly surprised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong feeling of shock or astonishment in response to an unexpected event or information. Example: "When she walked in with the surprise party, I was utterly surprised and speechless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

I was utterly surprised when he did.

University of California, Berkeley

"He was utterly surprised that it went the other way".

The New York Times - Sports

"They were knocked over — utterly surprised by the contents of the book".

The New York Times

They utterly surprised the moon men and laid waste to their planet.

The New Yorker

The counteroffensive utterly surprised the Germans, who thought the Soviets incapable of mounting such an attack.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indeed, most people are utterly surprised to discover that there is any creativity in mathematics.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The Independent's Paul Taylor was equally unimpressed by Saunders's book, which he described as "charmless, messy, lacklustre... embarrassingly derivative of Mamma Mia! and looks way past its sell-by date in its utterly surprise-free satiric swipe at the X Factor".

The Guardian

Reached a few days later, Roberts said that she was "utterly tickled pink," if not surprised.

The New Yorker

I'm not surprised by his utterly insensitive inactions -- until he was forced to take the ultimate step -- when his bottom line was threatened.

Huffington Post

Seeing someone else transpose the piece so successfully into a different medium caught him utterly by surprise.

The New York Times

It has come out of nowhere, clean out of the blue and Murray seems caught utterly by surprise.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly surprised" to emphasize a strong reaction to an unexpected event or revelation. This phrase effectively conveys a high degree of astonishment.

Common error

While "utterly surprised" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more nuanced or sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "completely astonished" or "profoundly amazed" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly surprised" functions as an adjectival phrase, with "utterly" modifying the adjective "surprised". It serves to intensify the feeling of surprise, indicating a complete and profound state of astonishment. Ludwig AI provides several examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

20%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly surprised" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a strong feeling of astonishment or shock. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, including news media, academic texts, and encyclopedias. While appropriate for many contexts, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in highly professional settings. Related phrases such as "completely astonished" or "totally shocked" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. The usage of "utterly surprised" effectively emphasizes the magnitude of one's surprise, making it a versatile choice for expressing astonishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely astonished

Emphasizes the feeling of astonishment without necessarily implying shock.

totally shocked

Highlights the element of shock and disbelief.

entirely amazed

Focuses on the feeling of wonder and amazement.

thoroughly astonished

Stresses the completeness of the astonishment.

absolutely stunned

Conveys a sense of being overwhelmed and speechless.

completely taken aback

Indicates a sudden and unexpected surprise.

incredibly startled

Emphasizes the suddenness and intensity of the surprise.

profoundly shocked

Highlights the depth and severity of the shock.

genuinely astonished

Highlights the honesty and authenticity of the emotion.

unfeigned surprise

Highlights the genuineness of the surprise, implying it's not pretended.

FAQs

What does "utterly surprised" mean?

The phrase "utterly surprised" means to be completely and totally astonished or shocked by something unexpected. It indicates a high degree of surprise.

How can I use "utterly surprised" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly surprised" to describe someone's reaction to an unexpected event. For example, "I was "completely astonished" when I saw her there".

What are some alternatives to "utterly surprised"?

Some alternatives to "utterly surprised" include "completely astonished", "totally shocked", or "entirely amazed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "utterly surprised" formal or informal?

The phrase "utterly surprised" is generally considered neutral in tone. It can be used in both informal and formal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or highly professional writing.