2.1. Expressing surprise

Read these facts about some social media:

 

  • 25 percent of social media users don't bother with any kind of privacy control
  • More than 350 million users suffer from Facebook Addiction Syndrome
  • There are 750 tweets every second
  • There are 1 million LinkedIn groups
  • Three million of new blogs come online every month
  • 49% of social media users are interrupted by an electronic message during a meal
  
Imagen de Pixel Addict en Flickr bajo licencia CC

Adapted from: https://blog.bufferapp.com/10-surprising-social-media-statistics-that-will-make-you-rethink-your-strategy

 

How would you react with surprise to those statements?

EXPRESSING SURPRISE, DISBELIEF, SHOCK, OR ASTONISHMENT

 

Look at the following expressions we use when we are surprised, shocked or astonished. Notice that, except the first two, the rest are very informal:

 

  • I find that hard to believe
  • I wouldn't like to say for certain
  • I have my own doubts
  • Unbelievable!
  • Oh, Come on!
  • No way!
  • You're joking!
  • You must be joking!
  • You're kidding!
  • Are you serious?

Now watch this video to learn more expressions. Pay attention to intonation:

 

 

Here is another short video with more suggestions.

 

Para saber más



Imagen de CarbonNYC en Flickr bajo licencia CC 

  Practice showing surprise, disbelief, shock or astonishment with your partner. Try to use the right intonation.

  Use the facts about social media:

  • 25 percent of social media users don't bother with any kind of privacy control
  • More than 350 million users suffer from Facebook Addiction Syndrome
  • There are 750 tweets every second
  • There are 1 million LinkedIn groups
  • Three million of new blogs come online every month
  • 49% of social media users are interrupted by an electronic message during a meal

 

Reflexión

Match the following surprise idioms to their meaning. Once you have finished, check your answers below:

Idiom
Meaning
 1. To drop a bombshell
 a. To occur unexpectedly and causing a surprise
 2. Your jaw drops
  b. To be unable to move because of shock or surprise
 3. To happen out of the blue
  c. to make an unexpected announcement which will greatly change a situation
 4. To have your eyes on stalks  d. wide open with surprise or amazement
 5. To be rooted to the spot
  e. when you show total amazement

 

Para saber más

 

Imagen de QueenNeveen en Flickr bajo licencia CC

 

 Reply to the following tweet showing surprise, disbelief, shock or astonishment. Remember you can only type a total of 140 characters.

 Tweet: From now on, users under 25 will only be allowed to use Facebook in the morning, and users over 25 will only posibly use it in the evenings.  Facebook will be permanently down from 12 am to  9 am.