The English Oracle

What is the difference between "amazed at" and "amazed by"?

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Chapters
00:00 What Is The Difference Between &Quot;Amazed At&Quot; And &Quot;Amazed By&Quot;?
00:18 Accepted Answer Score 4
00:48 Thank you

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Tags
#wordchoice #prepositions

#avk47



ACCEPTED ANSWER

Score 4


Amazed at would be used to describe amazement of a single instance of something.

Amazed by would be more likely to be used as a more general description of amazement.

Julie was amazed/astonished at Ted's impromptu juggling display.

Julie was amazed/astonished by Ted's juggling skills each time he displayed them.

There is a very subtle difference.

The first one would be used to indicate that Julie's amazement is caused by the juggling, whereas in the latter example Ted is causing Julie's amazement.