we were flabbergasted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were flabbergasted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express extreme surprise or shock at a situation or event. Example: "When we heard the news of the unexpected merger, we were flabbergasted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"We were flabbergasted.

The Economist

"We were flabbergasted," Ms. Morgenstern said.

The New York Times

We were flabbergasted and not a little ruffled.

Independent

We were flabbergasted by the birds' spring return times.

The Guardian

We were flabbergasted because it was so different from the show.

The Guardian

"We had a hidden-garden tour in Pittsfield, and we were flabbergasted when we got 400 people," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

We are flabbergasted.

The Guardian

Really, we're flabbergasted.

The Guardian - Books

"We're flabbergasted," he said.

The New York Times

"If we're flabbergasted," Bills General Manager Tom Donahoe said about the five-week process of acquiring Bledsoe, "we're flabbergasted there weren't more teams that got involved".

The New York Times - Sports

"We are flabbergasted that someone with absolutely no connection to this case can be allowed to bring an action like this.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were flabbergasted" when you want to express a strong sense of surprise and disbelief, often in response to something unexpected or shocking. It is more impactful than simply saying "we were surprised".

Common error

While "we were flabbergasted" is widely understood, it can sound slightly informal in highly professional or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "we were astonished" or "we were taken aback" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were flabbergasted" functions as a declarative statement expressing a reaction of extreme surprise and astonishment. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English, serving to vividly convey a feeling of being overwhelmed by surprise. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in various news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were flabbergasted" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express a strong feeling of surprise and astonishment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English, although its register leans towards neutral-informal. You'll find it most frequently in news and media contexts. While "we were flabbergasted" effectively conveys strong surprise, be mindful of your audience and consider more formal alternatives like "we were astonished" in professional or academic settings. When aiming for impact and a touch of informality, however, "we were flabbergasted" is an excellent choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were astonished

Emphasizes surprise and amazement, slightly more formal.

we were amazed

Highlights a feeling of wonder and delight in addition to surprise.

we were stunned

Suggests a stronger sense of shock and disbelief.

we were shocked

Implies a negative surprise, often due to something unpleasant or disturbing.

we were surprised

A general term for experiencing something unexpected.

we were taken aback

Indicates a sudden and often unpleasant surprise.

we were bewildered

Focuses on confusion and disorientation caused by surprise.

we were dumbfounded

Highlights the inability to speak due to surprise.

we couldn't believe it

Emphasizes disbelief and incredulity.

we were incredulous

Suggests a skeptical surprise, questioning the truth or validity of something.

FAQs

What does "we were flabbergasted" mean?

The phrase "we were flabbergasted" means that the speakers were extremely surprised or astonished, often to the point of being speechless or unable to react immediately. It implies a strong sense of disbelief and wonder at something unexpected.

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

You can use "we were flabbergasted" to describe your reaction to a surprising event. For example, "We were flabbergasted when we heard the news about the company's record profits."

Which is correct, "we were flabbergasted" or "we are flabbergasted"?

"We were flabbergasted" (past tense) is used to describe a past reaction, while "we are flabbergasted" (present tense) describes a current reaction. Choose the tense that accurately reflects when the surprise occurred.

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

You can use alternatives like "we were astonished", "we were amazed", or "we were stunned" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.