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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Surprised at/by???

PLease explain the semantic and pragmatic difference between:

1) He was surprised at the question.

2) He was surprised by the question.

Thank you!
  

Top answer

I don't know if there is an "official" difference, but, to me, 1. conveys more that he was surprised at the content of the question, where as 2. conveys more that he was surprised by the fact that he was asked a question, or that particular question.

— Sam1947

  • I don't know if there is an "official" difference, but, to me, 1.
  • conveys more that he was surprised at the content of the question, where as 2.
  • conveys more that he was surprised by the fact that he was asked a question, or that particular question.
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1 Answers
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I don't know if there is an "official" difference, but, to me, 1. conveys more that he was surprised at the content of the question, where as 2. conveys more that he was surprised by the fact that he was asked a question, or that particular question.
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