with astonishment

USAGE SUMMARY

'with astonishment' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is experiencing surprise or amazement. For example: John stared at the bright lights of the city with astonishment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I shake my head with astonishment.

The New Yorker

I read this with astonishment.

The New Yorker

The students welcome her with astonishment.

The New York Times

She looked at me with astonishment.

The New York Times - Arts

I read the story about Professor Rosen with astonishment.

Princeton University

My patients would look at me with astonishment.

The New Yorker

"Tyrea has no family," Hawkins says with astonishment.

The Washington Post

"Americans are especially loved," he wrote with astonishment.

The Guardian

Future generations will look back on this phenomenon with astonishment.

The Guardian

His family reacted "mostly with astonishment," Myron Simon said.

The New York Times

Some agencies reacted with astonishment to Campaign's decision.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, "with astonishment" can effectively convey a sense of genuine surprise or disbelief, enhancing the impact of your message.

Common error

While "with astonishment" is correct, overusing it, especially in formal or scientific writing, can make your prose sound melodramatic. Consider using more neutral terms like "with surprise" or simply stating the surprising fact directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with astonishment" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a state is experienced. Ludwig examples show it describing reactions to surprising or unexpected events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with astonishment" is a grammatically correct and very common adverbial phrase used to describe a strong feeling of surprise and wonder. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While its register is generally neutral to formal, it is frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and avoid overuse in highly formal or scientific writing where a more neutral expression may be more appropriate. Alternative phrases, such as "with surprise" or "with amazement", may be suitable depending on the intended tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with amazement

Synonymous, but emphasizes wonder and surprise more directly.

with wonder

Emphasizes a sense of awe and curiosity, potentially downplaying surprise.

dumbfounded

Highlights being speechless due to surprise or shock.

incredulously

Focuses specifically on disbelief, lacking the element of wonder.

with incredulity

Similar to "incredulously", but more formal.

speechless with wonder

Emphasizes the inability to speak due to amazement.

in disbelief

Highlights the inability to accept something as true.

taken aback

Implies a slight shock or surprise.

in a surprised manner

More descriptive and less concise.

with gaping mouth

Focuses on the physical reaction of astonishment.

FAQs

How can I use "with astonishment" in a sentence?

You can use "with astonishment" to describe someone's reaction to something surprising. For example: "She stared at the winning lottery ticket "with astonishment"."

What's a less dramatic alternative to "with astonishment"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "with surprise", "with amazement", or simply describe the character's reaction directly.

Is it appropriate to use "with astonishment" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "with astonishment" might be too emotive for some academic contexts. Consider the tone of your writing and whether a more neutral expression would be more suitable.

What is the difference between "with astonishment" and "with surprise"?

"With astonishment" generally implies a greater degree of surprise and wonder than "with surprise", suggesting a more significant emotional impact.