Nanako
When to use "be stunned" Hi there, Could someone please tell me if the phrase "be stunned" is only used in a negative context? Does it mean "be surprised at something bad"? For example, I believe the following sentence sounds fine. ■ She was stunned when she heard the tragic news. But, does the sentence below also sound fine too? ■ She was stunned when her father got her a high-end car for her birthday.( which made her happy.) Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks, Nanako
Jan 2, 2019 3:00 PM
Answers · 9
3
Hi 'be stunned' can also be used a positive way. Your sentences are correct. It is true that it is used in the negative sense very often, but positive is possible too. "He was stunned by her beauty." :)
January 2, 2019
2
Hey Nanako, how are you? The expression ''be stunned'' means ''to be shocked; filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock''. And it is not only used in a negative context - this expression may be used either in a positive or negative context. Below you shall find a set of useful examples: 1) ''I was too stunned to reply to her inquiry!'' 2) ''I was absolutely stunned when I realized I had won the game.'' 3) ''When they told me she had gone missing, I was totally stunned.'' 4) ''My mom was stunned to know of my sister's pregnancy.'' (in this case, it may convey either a positive or a negative idea of being stunned) Hope that helps!!! :)
January 2, 2019
2
Hello my friend, Answering your question, I just did a quick research about that and found an informative explanation, so let me share that with you, here it is: source: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/stunned When you're stunned, you're thrown for a loop: either by shocking news or a blow to the head. You can be stunned a few different ways, but they all involve a state of confusion. If your mom won the lottery, you'd be stunned. Others might be stunned if their favorite TV show was canceled. Some people are stunned by good news that is kind of amazing, like a NASA flight to Mars. On the other hand, getting whacked in the head can leave you stunned. Hope this explanation will help you figure it out : )
January 2, 2019
1
Hi Nanako. I'm Ray from Los Angeles, CA. Think of "stunned" as "shocked". "Stunned" can be found in positive or negative situations. The sentence you gave is fine as it is. It is used a lot in sports when one team is about to win the game and the other team wins instead. Many people say, "We were stunned that they came back and won the game!"
January 2, 2019
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