we were astonished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were astonished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express surprise or amazement about something that has happened in the past. Example: "When we heard the news about the unexpected award, we were astonished by the recognition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were astonished.

The New Yorker

We were astonished by this".

The New York Times

"We were astonished," Turchi says.

The Guardian

"We were astonished," Mr. Berger said.

The New York Times - Science

We were astonished at the results.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last year we were astonished at the damage.

Independent

"We were astonished to see it," Mr. Wallis said.

The New York Times - Arts

We were astonished and outraged when we didn't win.

The New Yorker

Face to face, we were astonished by the similarities in our handwriting, gestures and sleep posture.

The New York Times

"We were astonished, really shocked, by the outrageous statements of Mr. Butler," Mr. Sahaf said.

The New York Times

"It has been really hard keeping quiet about it," said Mary. "We were astonished.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were astonished", ensure that the context clearly explains what caused the astonishment, providing a clear and compelling narrative for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "we were astonished" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "we were amazed" or "we were surprised" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were astonished" functions as an expression of surprise or amazement. It is a declarative statement indicating a reaction to an unexpected or remarkable event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were astonished" is a common and grammatically sound way to express strong surprise or amazement. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is correct and versatile across various contexts. This phrase is frequently found in news media, academic writing, and formal communications. While highly expressive, varying your language with synonyms such as "we were amazed" or "we were surprised" can prevent overuse and maintain reader engagement. Employ "we were astonished" to add emphasis when describing an unexpected or remarkable event, ensuring the context clearly explains the source of astonishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were amazed

Indicates a feeling of great surprise and wonder, similar to "we were astonished" but perhaps slightly less formal.

we were surprised

Denotes a feeling of mild astonishment or unexpectedness.

we were shocked

Suggests a strong feeling of surprise, often with a negative connotation.

we were stunned

Implies a state of being overwhelmed with surprise or disbelief.

we were taken aback

Indicates a feeling of surprise and slight offense or shock.

we couldn't believe it

Expresses disbelief and amazement at something unexpected.

we were dumbfounded

Signifies being speechless with astonishment.

we were flabbergasted

Highlights a state of extreme surprise and bewilderment.

we were awestruck

Conveys a feeling of reverence mixed with surprise and admiration.

we found it incredible

Indicates that something seemed too extraordinary to be believed.

FAQs

What does "we were astonished" mean?

The phrase "we were astonished" expresses a strong feeling of surprise, wonder, or amazement. It indicates that the speaker or writer and others experienced a significant level of shock or disbelief due to something unexpected or remarkable.

What can I say instead of "we were astonished"?

You can use alternatives such as "we were amazed", "we were surprised", "we were shocked", or "we were stunned" depending on the context and the degree of surprise you want to convey.

Is "we were astonished" formal or informal?

The phrase "we were astonished" is generally considered to be neutral in formality. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts to express surprise or amazement, though more formal alternatives may exist for very specific situations.

How to use "we were astonished" in a sentence?

You can use "we were astonished" in a sentence to describe your reaction to an unexpected event. For example: "When we heard the news, we were astonished by the generosity of the donors." or "We were astonished to discover the hidden room behind the bookshelf."