What is surprised? Pronunciation and usage in English

surprised means . Learn how to pronounce and use surprised through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of surprised

surprisedadjective

/səˈprʌɪzd/
Definition & pronunciation of surprised

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "surprised" in English. It's a tricky word for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "surprised" is typically broken into three syllables:

  • sur - like the "sure" you might say when you're confident
  • prised - this is the trickiest part!

2. Pronunciation Guide:

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

  • “sur”: Pronounced like “sure” (as in, “sure you’re right”). The "r" is slightly rolled, but not essential unless you’re aiming for a very strong American accent.
  • “prised”: This is where most people stumble. Let’s break it down:
    • “pri”: Say "pree" like you're saying "pretty." Don’t overemphasize the "i".
    • “sed”: Pronounced like "zed" (as in the letter Z), but with a shorter, softer "z" sound. Think of it like the "s" in "sit". It’s a quick, almost swallowed "s" sound.

3. Putting it Together:

So, the whole word sounds something like: “sùr-prīz-ed”

4. Tips and Considerations:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable ("sur").
  • The "r" sound in "prised": Don't force a strong rolled "r" in "prised." It’s a subtle sound.
  • The "zed" sound in "sed": This is crucial! It's not like the "s" in "sit." Practice saying "zed" and then try to soften it slightly.

Resources for Hearing it:

To help me give you even more targeted tips, could you tell me:

  • What’s your native language? (This can help me explain where the pronunciation might be different for you.)

Usage and examples with the word surprised in English

Let's break down how to use the word "surprised" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different nuances.

1. Basic Meaning: Feeling Unexpectedness

At its core, "surprised" means feeling a sudden feeling of shock or amazement because something unexpected has happened.

  • Example: "I was surprised to see her at the party!" (Meaning: I didn't expect to see her there.)
  • Example: "He was surprised by the test results." (Meaning: The results were unexpected.)

2. Forms of the Word & When to Use Them

  • Surprised (Past Participle): Used to describe a state of having been surprised.

    • Example: "I was surprised by the gift." (This uses "by" to indicate the cause of the surprise.)
    • Example: "She looked surprised." (Describes her appearance, indicating she was surprised.)

  • Surprising (Adjective): Describes something that causes surprise.

    • Example: "It was a surprising amount of money." (The amount was unexpected.)
    • Example: "A surprising discovery was made during the excavation." (The discovery was unexpected.)

  • To Surprise (Verb - to do something that causes surprise): Means to cause someone to feel surprised.

    • Example: "He tried to surprise her with a romantic dinner." (He planned something unexpected to make her feel surprised.)
    • Example: "The magician surprised the audience with a disappearing trick."

3. Degrees of Surprise (How Much You Were Surprised)

You can intensify the feeling of surprise with adverbs:

  • Slightly surprised: "I was slightly surprised to hear that." (A mild level of surprise)
  • Very surprised: "I was very surprised!" (A strong feeling of surprise)
  • Extremely surprised: "I was extremely surprised and speechless." (A huge, overwhelming surprise)
  • Astonished: (Similar to extremely surprised, implying a feeling of great wonder and surprise) “I was astonished to learn about his secret.”

4. Common Phrases Using "Surprised"

  • "I was surprised to hear that." (A polite way of expressing a surprised reaction.)
  • "You surprised me!" (Expressing that someone's action or statement was unexpected and pleasing.)
  • "I'm surprised you didn't know." (Expressing surprise that someone was unaware of something.)
  • "It surprised me how easily he learned." (Expressing surprise at a particular skill or ability.)

5. Tips for Using "Surprised" Correctly

  • Use "by" when you want to emphasize what caused the surprise. "Surprised by the rain" is more specific than just "surprised."
  • Consider the context: The nuance of "surprised" can change depending on the situation. Is it a positive surprise, a negative surprise, or just a neutral surprise?

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of situation are you thinking of using "surprised" in? (e.g., telling a story, describing an event, writing an email, etc.)
  • Are you trying to express a specific type of surprise? (e.g., happy surprise, shocked surprise, confused surprise?)

Synonyms for the word surprised

Practice with vocabulary surprised

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The management team was quite _____________ by the unexpected increase in quarterly profits.
  2. After reviewing the conflicting data, the analyst felt somewhat _____________ about the report's conclusions.
  3. I was genuinely _____________ to learn that my proposal had been approved on the first submission.
  4. The board members expressed their deep _____________ regarding the ethical breach within the department.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Upon receiving the abrupt email, she felt utterly _____________ about the immediate project deadline. a) indifferent b) surprised c) reassured d) prepared

  2. The team was left _____________ by the sudden and unexplained change in the project's direction. a) invigorated b) pleased c) perplexed d) unconcerned

  3. Many attendees were _____________ at the keynote speaker's impromptu announcement of a new company initiative. a) unsurprised b) surprised c) aware d) informed

  4. The scientific community was _____________ by the groundbreaking discovery, which challenged long-held theories. a) amused b) indifferent c) astonished d) surprised

  5. Despite the bold claims in the presentation, the investors remained _____________ about the startup's profitability projections. a) convinced b) enthusiastic c) skeptical d) gullible

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. It was quite unexpected to see such a high turnout for the voluntary training session. (Rewrite using a form of "surprised")

  2. The sudden downturn in the market caught many investors completely off guard. (Rewrite using a form of "surprised")

  3. The intricate details of the ancient artifact left the archaeologists in a state of wonder. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "surprised")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The management team was quite surprised by the unexpected increase in quarterly profits.
  2. After reviewing the conflicting data, the analyst felt somewhat confused about the report's conclusions.
  3. I was genuinely surprised to learn that my proposal had been approved on the first submission.
  4. The board members expressed their deep concern regarding the ethical breach within the department.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) surprised
  2. c) perplexed
  3. b) surprised
  4. c) astonished, d) surprised
  5. c) skeptical

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. I was quite surprised by the high turnout for the voluntary training session.
  2. Many investors were completely surprised by the sudden downturn in the market.
  3. The archaeologists were amazed by the intricate details of the ancient artifact.

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