were surprised that

USAGE SUMMARY

"were surprised that" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express surprise about something. For example: "We were surprised that he chose to retire early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So it was surprising to see that people were surprised that I fell.

The New York Times - Sports

Many were surprised that I was asking.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They were surprised that we weren't grateful enough.

The New York Times

Few people were surprised that he pleaded illness.

The New York Times

His parents were surprised that he came back.

The New Yorker

All were surprised that my sight wasn't compromised.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were surprised that it hadn't adjusted, Carney says.

The Guardian - Business

The assembled were surprised that the films were commercials.

The New York Times

In Istanbul, 700 miles away, they were surprised that I was going to Mardin.

Independent

Still, the troops were surprised that after the first ferocious resistance, the Taliban quickly folded.

The New York Times

They had scheduled a morning rally and were surprised that the Romney team had not.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were surprised that" to express genuine surprise based on unexpected outcomes or revelations. For stronger emphasis, consider alternatives like "were astonished that" or "were shocked that".

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses with "were surprised that". For example, don't say "were surprise that" or "are surprised that" when referring to a past event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were surprised that" functions as a declarative expression to convey a state of surprise or astonishment. It introduces a clause expressing the cause or reason for the surprise. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which validates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

36%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were surprised that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express surprise, as validated by Ludwig AI. It functions as a declarative expression, highlighting the unexpected nature of an event or piece of information. The phrase maintains a neutral register, fitting comfortably within news, science, and general conversation. Alternatives like "were astonished that" or "were shocked that" can amplify the intensity of the surprise. Being mindful of correct tense usage is crucial to avoid grammatical errors. With its wide applicability, "were surprised that" is a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit for conveying authentic reactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were astonished that

Implies a greater degree of surprise than the original phrase.

were amazed that

Suggests a feeling of wonder and surprise.

were shocked that

Indicates a sudden and often unpleasant surprise.

were taken aback that

Highlights the unexpectedness of the event.

were startled that

Focuses on the suddenness and initial reaction of surprise.

found it surprising that

Shifts the emphasis to the finding itself being surprising.

didn't expect that

A more informal way of expressing surprise.

never imagined that

Expresses a lack of prior expectation or foresight.

had no idea that

Indicates a complete lack of awareness.

it was unexpected that

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "were surprised that" to express your reaction to an unexpected event or piece of information. For example, "We were surprised that the project was completed ahead of schedule."

What are some alternatives to "were surprised that"?

You can use alternatives like "were astonished that", "were amazed that", or "were shocked that" to convey a similar meaning with varying degrees of intensity.

Is it correct to say "was surprised that" instead of "were surprised that"?

No, it depends on the subject's number. Use "was surprised that" for singular subjects (e.g., "He was surprised that...") and "were surprised that" for plural subjects (e.g., "They were surprised that...").

What's the difference between "were surprised that" and "expected that"?

"Were surprised that" indicates an unexpected outcome, while "expected that" implies an anticipated outcome. They are opposites in meaning. For example, "We were surprised that it rained" versus "We expected that it would rain."