To be shocked

Question

Is it correct to say:I was shocked to learn that...or is it better:I was shocked when I learned that...??

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

1st is better, IMO

Jrdavis · Answer

To elaborate on the previous answer.

"I was shocked to learn that ..." implies that the learning caused the shocking. The second form is more general. It could just be stating the writer's condition at the time of the learning, as in "I was drunk when I voted for Nixon".

J Lewis · Answer

I disagree with Jrdavis. Certainly in the case of "drunk" I agree, because you cannot be drunk as a result of voting for Nixon, but with "shocked" I think it's an improbable interpretation. I'd say the two sentences are equally correct, but "shocked to learn" is more concise and more common.

Jrdavis · Answer

Ah, so sorry, but I was too brief in my posting. When I said "the second form is more general" I was talking about it in its general form, ("I was x when y"), which does allow both the causal (y caused x) and the stative (I was in the state/condition of x when y occurred) readings.

I think we agree that this form, in general, allows for both readings. if not, consider

I was happy when I learned that Harper had been elected.

Depending on context, this could mean either that learning of the election caused me to be happy, or that I was already happy when I got this news (and perhaps afterwards, I became depressed).

I do agree that in the specific case the poster gave (where x is "shocked") , it's hard (but not impossible) for it to have the meaning of "in the state of being shocked" since a shock lasts only a brief instant. To show that it's not impossible, consider there is a new experimental medical procedure I read about where a very fast, high voltage (but low amperage) shock is applied to the body while certain drugs are administered. The voltage is supposed to affect the cell membranes in certain ways that allow the drugs to more easily enter. So one could say

I was shocked when the drugs were given.

The drugs do not cause the shock, the drugs are given while the patient is in the state of being shocked.

To be shocked

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