we are surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we are surprised' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence like, "We are surprised to see how much it has grown over the last few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And we are surprised?

The New York Times

But constantly we are surprised.

The New York Times

"We are surprised about the figures ourselves".

The New York Times

We are surprised by Gerrard Tyrrell's comments.

The Guardian

How often we are surprised by unexpected joy.

Princeton University

We are surprised, almost coy that the nation remembers us.

The New York Times

"We are surprised," he told reporters in Sargodha.

The New York Times

Or we are surprised they have any brains ….

The New Yorker

And so we are surprised by the almost inevitable.

The New Yorker

"We are surprised that the world is standing by".

The New York Times

But, he added, "Every so often we are surprised".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are surprised" to express genuine unexpectedness or mild astonishment. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "we are surprised" when a more specific emotion like disappointment, shock, or amazement would be more accurate and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "we are surprised" is to act as a stative verb phrase expressing a feeling or reaction. It indicates a state of being, specifically the state of being surprised. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are surprised" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express a feeling of mild astonishment or unexpectedness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts but is also common in academic and scientific writing. When using the phrase, consider whether a stronger emotion might be more appropriate and impactful. Alternatives like "we are astonished" or "we are amazed" can convey a greater sense of wonder. Overall, "we are surprised" is a reliable and effective choice for expressing unexpectedness in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we're astonished

Replaces "surprised" with a stronger term, indicating a higher degree of amazement.

we're amazed

Similar to "astonished", but slightly less intense, indicating a strong feeling of wonder.

we're taken aback

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of something, causing a momentary shock or pause.

we're startled

Suggests a sudden, often physical, reaction to something unexpected.

it surprises us

Shifts the focus to the action causing the surprise, rather than the state of being surprised.

we find it surprising

Highlights the surprising quality of something, making it a characteristic rather than a reaction.

we're caught off guard

Indicates a lack of preparedness, leading to surprise.

it's a shock to us

Emphasizes the jarring and unexpected nature of the event, highlighting its impact.

we didn't expect that

Focuses on the lack of anticipation, emphasizing the unexpected outcome.

that was unexpected

A more concise way of expressing surprise, highlighting the unexpected nature of the event.

FAQs

What does "we are surprised" mean?

The phrase "we are surprised" indicates a feeling of mild astonishment or unexpectedness in response to something. It suggests that an event, piece of information, or situation was not anticipated or predicted.

How can I use "we are surprised" in a sentence?

You can use "we are surprised" to express your reaction to something unexpected. For example, "We are surprised by the positive feedback we received on our project" or "We are surprised to see how much the garden has grown in just a few weeks."

What can I say instead of "we are surprised"?

You can use alternatives like "we are astonished", "we are amazed", or "we are taken aback" to convey a similar meaning with varying degrees of intensity.

Is "we are surprised" formal or informal?

"We are surprised" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation than the phrase itself.