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at or by ?
Message de fleuranh posté le 31-07-2005 à 23:44:55 (S | E | F | I)
I'm surprised by the use of 'at' in sentences like these (read in an exercise book) : I am shocked at her behaviour.../ They are surprised at ther good fortune...
Isn't the use of the preposition "by" more appropiate.
Thanks for all the answers
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Edité par bridg le 01-08-2005 00:27
Message de fleuranh posté le 31-07-2005 à 23:44:55 (S | E | F | I)
I'm surprised by the use of 'at' in sentences like these (read in an exercise book) : I am shocked at her behaviour.../ They are surprised at ther good fortune...
Isn't the use of the preposition "by" more appropiate.
Thanks for all the answers
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Edité par bridg le 01-08-2005 00:27
Réponse: at or by ? de serena, postée le 01-08-2005 à 05:21:36 (S | E)
Hello,
As far as I know, you can use "by" as well as "at". This won't change anything.
I am shocked at/by her behaviour.
Though the use of "at" sometimes implies a state of amazement.
- I was shocked at the results = I was shocked when I heard about the results.
Réponse: at or by ? de traviskidd, postée le 04-08-2005 à 17:01:32 (S | E)
I was shocked at the results. = In looking at the results, I was shocked.
I was shocked by the results. = The results shocked me.
Not much of a difference.
Réponse: at or by ? de serena, postée le 05-08-2005 à 00:14:32 (S | E)
It's ok ! Though I used to consider "shock at" more expressive for some circumstances.
Well, hope we'll always be pleasantly "shocked". Then in my mind, "at" and "by" would come up naturally.
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