The difference

AnonymousWhat is the subtle difference in meaning between these two sentences?

#2 is less natural or even non-native.

Hi MM,
<#2 is less natural or even non-native.>
Do you mean 'be surprised at' can't be followed by gerunds like sentence #2?
Thanks

AnonymousDo you mean 'be surprised at' can't be followed by gerunds like sentence #2?

No, of course not, but here it does not work. 'Surprised at seeing (someone)' does not collocate well.

Hi MM,
What's the subtle difference between #1 and #2?
1. I was surprised to hear the bad news.
2. I was surprised at hearing the bad news.

Thanks.

AnonymousWhat's the subtle difference between #1 and #2?

It is not so subtle. #2 sounds non-native.

Anonymous 'be surprised at' can't be followed by gerunds

No. It can be followed by a gerund, but this is the last choice of native speakers. In the case of a verb after "be surprised" the infinitive is much preferred.

'be surprised at' is much more often followed by a noun like 'the news that ...', 'the discovery that ...', 'the

CalifJim but this is the last choice of native speakers.

Hi CJ,
Could you please explain why?

Thank you MM and CJ for your answers.

AnonymousCould you please explain why?

That's just the way the language works. There is often no reason for one form being preferred over another.

AnonymousCould you please explain why?

For the same reason we put our shoes on our feet, and not on our hands. It's just the way we do it.