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?
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Respuestas · 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.
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."
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