we were stunned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were stunned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something surprised you in a negative way. Example sentence: "We were stunned when we saw the damage the storm had caused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We were stunned".

The New York Times

We were stunned, actually".

The Guardian - Arts

We were stunned into kindness.

The New York Times

"We were stunned," he said.

The New York Times

"We were stunned," Owen told me.

The New Yorker

"We were stunned," said Mr Schofield.

Independent

"We were stunned when it ended".

The Guardian - Sport

"We were stunned," Ms. Schneider said.

The New York Times

"We were stunned and flabbergasted," Mr. Hamman said.

The New York Times

As one of Lerner's friends recalled: "We were stunned.

The Guardian - Arts

We were stunned at the beauty we found ourselves in.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were stunned" to express a strong emotional reaction to unexpected news or events. It conveys a sense of surprise combined with disbelief or shock.

Common error

Avoid using "we were stunned" in situations that are only mildly surprising. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "we were stunned" is to serve as a declarative statement expressing a state of surprise or shock experienced by a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase. It vividly conveys the impact of an unexpected event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Arts

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were stunned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express surprise or shock. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is perfectly correct. It's commonly found in news articles, arts publications, and more formal contexts. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid diminishing its impact. Alternatives include "we were shocked" or "we were astonished" for variety. The phrase is a powerful tool for conveying the intensity of a group's reaction to unexpected events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were shocked

Replaces "stunned" with "shocked", indicating a strong feeling of surprise and disbelief.

we were astonished

Substitutes "stunned" with "astonished", emphasizing great surprise and amazement.

we were amazed

Uses "amazed" instead of "stunned", conveying a sense of wonder and surprise.

we were taken aback

Replaces the original phrase with a more idiomatic expression indicating surprise and slight bewilderment.

we couldn't believe it

Expresses disbelief and surprise at something unexpected.

we were floored

Uses "floored" as a more informal synonym for "stunned", suggesting being overwhelmed with surprise.

we were dumbfounded

Indicates being so surprised that one is temporarily speechless.

we were completely surprised

Highlights the unexpected nature of the event, resulting in shock.

we were in disbelief

Focuses on the initial inability to accept the surprising information.

we didn't see that coming

An informal expression emphasizing the unexpected nature of an event.

FAQs

What does "we were stunned" mean?

The phrase "we were stunned" signifies that a group of people experienced a moment of great surprise, shock, or disbelief, often in response to unexpected news or an unforeseen event.

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

You can use "we were stunned" to describe a group's reaction to something surprising. For example, "We were stunned when the results of the election were announced."

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

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

Is "we were stunned" formal or informal?

The phrase "we were stunned" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal options like "we were astonished" might be preferred in some situations.