with surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

"with surprise" is correct in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's reaction to something unexpected. For example, "Sam gasped with surprise when he saw a giraffe in the living room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pun generation with surprise.

Stanford University

His father reacted with surprise.

The New York Times

"We cried with surprise.

The New York Times

I looked at him with surprise.

The New Yorker

Reagan appeared to be numb with surprise.

The New Yorker

"Jose Canseco!" he said with surprise.

The New York Times - Sports

Skinner's erudition was met with surprise.

Independent

The staff listened with surprise.

The New York Times - Health

Obinze was stung with surprise.

The New Yorker

"Eurotrash?" he said, with surprise.

The New Yorker

The delay was met with surprise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with surprise" to describe a reaction to something unexpected, emphasizing the feeling of astonishment or wonder.

Common error

While "with surprise" is grammatically correct, avoid overuse in formal contexts. Opt for more nuanced expressions like "in astonishment" or "to their amazement" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with surprise" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a state is experienced. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with surprise" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a reaction of astonishment or unexpectedness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, and is suitable for both formal and informal communication. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more nuanced alternatives, such as "in astonishment" or "to their amazement", especially in highly formal writing, to enhance precision and avoid repetition. Understanding the contexts where this phrase is most effective can significantly improve writing clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in astonishment

Focuses on the feeling of great surprise and wonder.

in amazement

Highlights the sense of being filled with wonder and astonishment.

in wonder

Emphasizes a feeling of surprise mixed with admiration.

in disbelief

Implies a strong sense of incredulity at what is happening.

taken aback

Suggests a sudden shock or surprise that causes temporary confusion.

caught off guard

Indicates that someone was surprised because they were not expecting something.

stunned

Describes being shocked or dazed, often due to surprise.

dumbfounded

Implies being so surprised that one is temporarily speechless.

flabbergasted

Suggests being utterly astonished and surprised.

startled

Focuses on a sudden and unexpected surprise.

FAQs

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

You can use "with surprise" to describe how someone reacts to an unexpected event. For example, "She looked at him "with surprise" when he announced his retirement unexpectedly".

What are some alternatives to saying "with surprise"?

Alternatives to "with surprise" include "in amazement", "in wonder", or "in astonishment", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "with surprised" instead of "with surprise"?

No, "with surprised" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "with surprise", where "surprise" functions as a noun describing the feeling or reaction.

What's the difference between reacting "with surprise" and being "surprised by" something?

Reacting "with surprise" describes the manner of reaction, emphasizing the emotional response. Being "surprised by" something focuses on the cause of the reaction, highlighting the unexpected event or information. For example: "She reacted "with surprise"", compared to "She was surprised by the sudden announcement".