aghast at + thing
Showing the cause of shock
At is the most natural preposition after aghast.
I was aghast at his behaviour.
How to use “aghast” with prepositions
Aghast is most commonly followed by at or sometimes by to show the cause of shock or horror. Other prepositions may appear in separate phrases with different meanings.
Quick answer
The usual pattern is “aghast at”
Use aghast at to describe the thing that shocks or horrifies someone. Aghast by also appears, especially in passive-style wording, but aghast with, aghast in, and aghast as are not standard complement patterns after the adjective.
She was aghast at the decision.
We were aghast by the damage.
He stood aghast in silence.
We were aghast by the damage.
He stood aghast in silence.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
aghast by + event
Alternative wording for the cause
By is less common but acceptable, especially when the cause is treated like an action affecting someone.
Residents were aghast by the sudden cuts.
aghast in + situation
Describing the surrounding situation
In does not normally follow aghast directly. It can introduce a separate phrase of place or circumstance.
She stared, aghast in the crowded courtroom.
aghast with + emotion
Nonstandard complement pattern
With is generally not used as the complement after aghast.
Not standard: aghast with fear
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
aghast at
They were aghast at the news.
standard way to show the cause of shock
aghast by
Investors were aghast by the announcement.
acceptable alternative, slightly less common
aghast with
She was aghast with horror.
generally nonstandard as a complement after aghast
aghast in
He stood aghast in the doorway.
in introduces location, not the cause of shock
aghast as
Aghast as he was, he stayed calm.
as introduces a clause, not a normal adjective-preposition pattern
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using “with” as the main complement
English normally uses at after aghast.
✕ She was aghast with the result. ✓ She was aghast at the result.Confusing location with complement
In can describe where someone was, not what caused the feeling.
✕ They were aghast in the decision. ✓ They were aghast at the decision.Using “as” after the adjective
Aghast as is only used in clause structures such as “Aghast as he was...”.
✕ We were aghast as the delay. ✓ We were aghast at the delay.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. She was aghast ___ the price increase.
2. Residents were aghast ___ the destruction.
3. He stood aghast ___ the entrance hall.
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Frequently asked questions
Is “aghast at” correct?
Yes. It is the most common and standard pattern.
Can I say “aghast by”?
Yes. It is acceptable, especially in formal or journalistic contexts.
Is “aghast with” natural English?
Usually no. English normally uses aghast at instead.
Related preposition guides
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