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Is the word "marvel" common? Is it common or acceptable to say "marvel at"? or it's better to say "wonder from"? Also, can we say: wonder at?
Mar 15, 2016 11:32 AM
Answers · 2
3
If you are talking about expressing amazment at something, then the correct term is "marvel at" - As far as I know, the other two are wrong.
March 15, 2016
2
It's acceptable, but nowadays it is rare and it sounds old-fashioned. The word "marvel" has fallen out of use. I can't think of a direct replacement. The most common, idiomatic word would be "amazed," but you'd need to use a different phrase structure. Instead of "We marveled at X" it is more natural to say "We were amazed by X" (if X is a thing) or "We were amazed at X" (if X is an action or a behavior). "We marveled at Niagara Falls." "We were amazed by Niagara Falls." "We were amazed at how loudly Niagara Falls roared." "Wonder from" is wrong. "Wonder at" is correct but old-fashioned. Nowadays, the word "wonder" mostly expresses everyday doubt or uncertainty--"I wonder if it's going to rain?" The meaning of awe or amazement ("The Great Pyramids are among the wonders of the world") has faded. Here's a good example of the change in usage. In the classic 1611 English translation of the Bible (the "King James Version"), in Mark 12:17 says "And they marveled at him." In the New International Version, the most popular modern-language version, it says "And they were amazed at him."
March 15, 2016
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