we were shocked

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "we were shocked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that you and others in your group experienced. For example: "We were shocked when we heard the news that our school was closing permanently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We were shocked – shocked!

The New York Times

And we were shocked.

The New York Times - Food

"We were shocked, horrified.

The New York Times

We were shocked, angry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We were shocked and horrified.

Independent

"We were shocked," Murdoch said.

The New Yorker

"We were shocked," he said.

The New York Times

We were shocked and embarrassed.

The Guardian

"We were shocked," says Kuhn.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Though we're shocked — shocked!

The New York Times - Sports

Every so often we are shocked — shocked!

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were shocked", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause or reason for the shock to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we were shocked" repeatedly in a short piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "we were astonished" or "we were stunned" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were shocked" functions as a declarative statement expressing a collective emotional reaction. It typically follows a subject ("we") and a form of the verb "to be" ("were"), combined with the past participle of the verb "to shock", indicating a state of surprise or dismay. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were shocked" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a collective feeling of surprise, disbelief, or dismay. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. As evidenced by the examples, this phrase appears frequently in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Formal & Business" contexts. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context clearly explains the cause of the shock and to vary your language to avoid repetition. Alternatives like "we were astonished" or "we were stunned" can add nuance and keep your writing engaging. The phrase serves to convey shared emotional reactions to unexpected or unsettling events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were astonished

Replaces "shocked" with a more intense feeling of surprise or wonder.

we were taken aback

Implies a sudden surprise that causes a momentary pause or hesitation.

we were stunned

Indicates a state of being overwhelmed or dazed by surprise.

we were surprised

A milder expression of shock, simply indicating unexpectedness.

we couldn't believe it

Focuses on the disbelief caused by the shocking event.

we were amazed

Highlights the element of wonder or admiration in the surprise.

we were dumbfounded

Suggests being rendered speechless by surprise.

we were floored

Emphasizes being completely overwhelmed or knocked off balance by the surprise.

we were startled

Implies a sudden, sharp surprise.

we were caught off guard

Highlights the lack of preparation for the surprising event.

FAQs

How can I use "we were shocked" in a sentence?

You can use "we were shocked" to express a feeling of surprise or disbelief about something unexpected. For example, "We were shocked when we heard the news."

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

You can use alternatives like "we were astonished", "we were stunned", or "we were surprised" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we were shock"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "we were shocked", using the past participle form of the verb "to shock".

What is the difference between "we were shocked" and "we were surprised"?

"We were shocked" typically implies a stronger emotional reaction than "we were surprised". Shock suggests a significant, often negative, emotional impact, while surprise can be milder and more neutral.