were very surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were very surprised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong reaction of astonishment or shock in response to an event or information. Example: "When they heard the news, they were very surprised and didn't know how to react."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

We were very surprised.

The Guardian

"We were very surprised by the collection.

Independent

"They were very surprised at the numbers of people inside.

The Guardian

"When we opened it, we were very surprised.

The Guardian

"Two nurses were there and they were very surprised.

The Guardian

So they saw it, you know, on stage and stuff and they were very surprised.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

He is "very surprised, extremely surprised.

The Guardian

I was very surprised.

The New York Times - Food

"People are very surprised.

The New York Times - Arts

She was very surprised.

The New Yorker

No one was very surprised.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were very surprised", consider the intensity of the surprise. If it's a mild surprise, "were somewhat surprised" might be more appropriate. For a stronger reaction, try "were utterly astonished".

Common error

Avoid overuse of "very". While grammatically correct, consider stronger synonyms for "surprised" to convey more impact without relying on "very". For instance, use "astonished", "shocked", or "amazed" for greater effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were very surprised" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating a state of astonishment or unexpectedness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It typically modifies a subject, describing their emotional state in response to a particular event or piece of information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science & Research

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were very surprised" effectively communicates a strong sense of astonishment or unexpectedness. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. While versatile across different contexts, it is most prevalent in news and media. For heightened impact, consider stronger synonyms like "astonished" or "amazed", and be mindful of overusing "very" as it can dilute the overall effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were greatly astonished

Replaces "surprised" with a stronger synonym, "astonished", amplifying the level of surprise.

were extremely shocked

Substitutes "surprised" with "shocked", indicating a more intense reaction of disbelief.

were taken aback

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey surprise, implying a sudden and unexpected reaction.

were in disbelief

Focuses on the inability to believe something due to its surprising nature.

couldn't believe their ears

An idiomatic phrase indicating extreme surprise upon hearing something unexpected.

were completely amazed

Replaces "surprised" with "amazed", suggesting a sense of wonder and astonishment.

didn't see that coming

An informal way to express surprise, indicating a lack of anticipation.

found it quite startling

Uses "startling" to emphasize the sudden and unexpected nature of the surprise.

were caught off guard

Highlights the unexpectedness of the event, leaving them unprepared.

had never expected that

Emphasizes the complete lack of anticipation for the surprising event.

FAQs

What does "were very surprised" mean?

The phrase "were very surprised" indicates a strong feeling of astonishment or unexpectedness in response to something. It means that someone experienced a significant degree of surprise.

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

You can use "were very surprised" to describe a reaction to unexpected news or events. For example, "They "were very surprised" when they found out they had won the lottery."

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

You can use alternatives like "were greatly astonished", "were extremely shocked", or "were taken aback" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "were surprised" or "were very surprised"?

While both are correct, ""were very surprised"" emphasizes the intensity of the surprise. If the surprise is mild, "were surprised" may suffice. For a stronger impact, consider using a synonym for surprised like "astonished" or "amazed".