Grammar

Hi,



I think I can imagine someone being slightly astonished. Can you?



Language is not an exact kind of tool.



Clive

People sometimes use extremes like that just to be colorful, but it wouldn't work in a formal setting. It would be like saying he was slightly outraged. Astonishment is extreme of itself. I can't think of an appropriate modifier offhand. The man was slightly huge! (Rediculous thing to say.)

Avangislightly huge

Dang, Avangi! You took my example!

How about these?

Atoms are slightly small.
The diamonds were slightly brilliant.
The Andromeda galaxy is slightly far away.
Stalking the deer, the lioness was slightly quiet.
Seeing the cat vomit onto the creamed peas was slightly sickening.

Sorry. I slightly owe you one.

(I don't blame the cat even slightly.)

Perhaps "a bit taken aback" might work for "slightly astonished"?

I wish the line about the cat were one of those things I could "un-see."

And I just opened a package of frozen peas and baby onions. (Right 'n th' trash!)