we were surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'we were surprised' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe how a person or group of people responded to something unexpected. For example: We were surprised to hear that John had moved away without telling anyone.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Even we were surprised.

The Economist

"We were surprised.

University of California, Berkeley

We were surprised and bewildered.

Cornell University

"We were surprised by this.

The Washington Post

"We were surprised," Cureton says.

The New York Times - Magazine

And yet we were surprised.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Yes, we're surprised.

Independent

So should we be surprised?

Independent

Should we be surprised?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And we are surprised?

The New York Times

Why should we be surprised?

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were surprised", follow it with a clear explanation of what caused the surprise to avoid ambiguity for the reader. For example, "We were surprised by the sudden increase in sales."

Common error

While useful, overuse of "we were surprised" can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "we didn't expect that" or "it took us by surprise" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were surprised" primarily functions as an expression of reaction or observation. It indicates a state of being affected by something unexpected. Ludwig examples show it introducing explanations or descriptions of the surprising event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

32%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were surprised" is a common and grammatically sound way to express feelings of unexpectedness, used across various contexts from news reports to academic papers. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English. While versatile, it's important to vary phrasing to avoid repetition. Consider synonyms like "we didn't expect that" or "it took us by surprise" to enhance your writing. Explaining the reason behind the surprise adds clarity and impact to your message. Remember that while "surprised" denotes mild astonishment, “shocked” conveys a stronger, often negative, reaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we didn't expect that

Rephrases the surprise as an unmet expectation.

we found it unexpected

Highlights the unexpected nature of the event or information.

it took us by surprise

Focuses on the sudden and startling nature of the surprise.

we were astonished

Emphasizes a higher degree of amazement than simple surprise.

we were amazed

Similar to astonished, but with a slightly different emotional tone.

we didn't see that coming

An idiomatic way of saying something was completely unforeseen.

that was unexpected

A more concise way of expressing surprise.

it caught us off guard

Highlights being unprepared for what happened.

we were taken aback

Suggests a mild shock or surprise.

we were startled

Implies a sudden and slight shock.

FAQs

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

The phrase "we were surprised" is generally followed by a 'that' clause or a prepositional phrase explaining what caused the surprise. For example, "We were surprised that the project was completed ahead of schedule" or "We were surprised by the positive feedback".

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

You can use alternatives like "we were astonished", "we were amazed", or "it took us by surprise" depending on the level of surprise you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to explain why "we were surprised"?

While not strictly grammatically necessary, explaining the reason for your surprise provides context and makes your writing more informative and engaging for the reader. Without it, the statement might lack impact or clarity.

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

"We were surprised" indicates a general feeling of unexpectedness or mild astonishment. "We were shocked", on the other hand, implies a stronger emotional reaction, often to something negative or disturbing.