Meaning
The phrase be astonished to do something expresses a strong feeling of surprise or amazement at the fact that someone is doing (or has done) something.
It often implies that the action is unexpected, unusual, or remarkable.
Structure
Subject + be (am/is/are/was/were) + astonished + to + base verb
- She was astonished to see him there.
- I am astonished to hear such news.
- They were astonished to find the door unlocked.
Usage Notes
This construction is commonly used in both spoken and written English. It conveys a stronger emotion than "surprised" and suggests genuine disbelief or wonder.
It is typically followed by an infinitive (to + verb) that describes the surprising action.
Examples in Context
- He was astonished to receive a letter from his long-lost brother.
- We were astonished to learn that she had won the competition.
- It astonished me to discover how little he knew about the topic.