Object

• horse: We want everyone to enjoy their time on the Trail, and you don't want to startle the horses!

• rabbit: Move, Jo leaps out of the way looking like a startled rabbit caught in car headlamps.

• cry: They had reached the very wildest and most desolate portion of the pass when the girl gave a startled cry, and pointed upwards.

• eye: Staring out at us with wide, startled eyes, they seem almost to have been caught in the act.

• expression: He glanced over my shoulder with a startled expression.

Adjective complement

• reflex: Body movements may occur such as brief arm or leg movement or a startle reflex.

Modifying Another Word

• slightly: Even Teal'c's usually placid face wore a slightly startled expression.

• easily: Ross will probably be more easily startled than normal.

• rather: Rather startled, I turned to see who had asked the question.

• quite: Lost in a heavy sleep of which they had no memory, they were quite startled to be back in their cabin.

• so: Lucy was so startled, she ran off sobbing with fright but outside the bars, Beard Man just kept clicking on.

Used with why or when

• when: Lauren looks around the office and is startled when the door shuts.

Infinitive complement

• discover: Police officers were then startled to discover that 3,200 investigations were shared by 300 children who go missing at least three times a year.

• hear: She was startled to hear a shout from the street.

• find: I'd then wake up startled to find myself still in the bed with no covers moved.

• see: Reality: several years ago at the Paris Marathon, I was startled to see sponges offered to runners at all the water stops.

Preposition: by

• noise: A Bradwell resident startled by strange noises in the chimney was shocked to discover a trapped owl.

• sound: They are startled by strange sounds in the air which they trace to a cavern.