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I was taken aback by this vs I was shocked by this

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They convey a similar meaning of being surprised or startled by something. 'I was taken aback by this' is a more formal expression, while 'I was shocked by this' is more informal. The choice between the two depends on the level of formality desired in the context.

Last updated: April 09, 2024 • 155 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in formal contexts.

"I was taken aback by this"

This phrase is used to express being surprised, startled, or taken by surprise by something. It is more formal in tone.

Examples:

  • I was taken aback by his sudden outburst during the meeting.
  • She was taken aback by the news of her promotion.
  • The unexpected turn of events left me taken aback.
  • He was taken aback by her honesty.
  • The complexity of the issue left him taken aback.
  • Jan 23, 2022 ... I was taken aback by this. It was then that I knew I wanted to stay and find out what makes this shelter so special,” says Wilmont.
  • Aug 31, 2021 ... Upon entering the Tamiment Library and Archives in my first year of college, as recommended by my history professor, I was taken aback by this ...
  • I was taken aback by this truth. Suddenly, I was aware of how easy it can be for outsiders in this community to romanticize a life of simplicity, ...
  • Nov 3, 2016 ... It's one reason I was taken aback by this tweet about the conference, from a doctor who specializes in caring for patients who are ...
  • Oct 2, 2015 ... I was taken aback by this comment, and many people's initial reaction was like mine, one of irritation and anger.
  • Apr 1, 2014 ... ... I was taken aback by this pugnacious fellow, whose very words caused a profound cognitive dissonance in my budding conceptions of the ...
  • May 16, 2017 ...I was taken aback by this, Mumbai has sun practically the whole year.” sanjana malpani oneenergy scholarship Sanjna Malpani.
  • Aug 9, 2018 ... Momentarily, I was taken aback by this news. After all, I had called myself a legislative assistant, which was a step up in status from the ...
  • Nov 29, 2017 ... “At first, I was taken aback by this strategy but soon realized how much more I learned from the experience. I try to incorporate this ...
  • Apr 9, 2012 ... At first, I was taken aback by this fact. Then, hen I got the phone, I no longer cared. good phone, good price, good service, WORTH IT.

Alternatives:

  • I was surprised by this
  • I was astonished by this
  • I was startled by this
  • I was amazed by this
  • I was dumbfounded by this

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in informal contexts.

"I was shocked by this"

This phrase is used to express being surprised, startled, or taken aback by something. It is more informal in tone.

Examples:

  • I was shocked by the news of the accident.
  • She was shocked by his sudden change in behavior.
  • The revelation left him shocked.
  • He was shocked by the results of the experiment.
  • The scale of the disaster left everyone shocked.
  • Feb 9, 2022 ... "I was shocked by this one," Green said on the latest episode of "The Draymond Green Show." "The reason I was shocked is that I just could ...
  • Feb 9, 2022 ... "I was shocked by this one," Green said on the latest episode of "The Draymond Green Show." "The reason I was shocked is that I just could ...
  • Feb 5, 2022 ... I was shocked by this statistic until I realized that in my own church, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Breckenridge, our pews will be full on ...
  • Aug 28, 2021 ... I was shocked by this decision. On behalf of my mother and all Americans whose lives were altered by this appalling crime, I condemn this ...
  • Apr 27, 2006 ... “People loved it, and I was shocked by this,” said Joe Jones, a scientist at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) who assisted ...
  • Aug 9, 2021 ... I was shocked by this notion at first — and then scared. I was afraid that if I spoke up, I would lose my psychiatrist and access to ...
  • Jun 21, 2012 ... I would love to say that I was shocked by this news, but the truth is that this behavior has become the norm when learning to live with one ...
  • Jan 24, 2011 ... When I was a young reporter I was shocked by this, and as a novelist I wanted to explore it." In So Much Pretty, Hoffman utilizes the skills ...

Alternatives:

  • I was surprised by this
  • I was taken aback by this
  • I was astonished by this
  • I was startled by this
  • I was amazed by this

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