29. Surprise
Surprise and astonishment (which is just great surprise) are very often expressed with exclamations:
Oh! usually when startled (by an unexpected sight, for example)
(Good) heavens!
What a surprise!
Well! puzzled surprise, when you dont know what is best to say under circumstances or what to gain time.
To express surprise (often mixed with disbelief) at what other people tell us we can use:
Indeed? coldly formal.
Really? |
Do/ have you really? |
You have not, have you? } more or less neutral, semi-formal, rather mild
You dont, do you? |
What? - strong, mixed with disbelief and/or displeasure, informal
You dont say (so)! more colloquial
Fancy (that)! informal
Just fancy! used more by way of comment
Go on (with you)! } colloquial, mixed with disbelief
Well, I never. |
To express surprise at seeing someone unexpectedly we say:
Look whos here!
Well, if it isnt !
Describing our or other peoples surprise the following expressions can be used:
You could have knocked me down with a feather. colloquial
It/ that made me/ him sit up.