a considerable shock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable shock" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or impactful surprise or disturbance experienced by someone. Example: "The news of the sudden layoffs came as a considerable shock to the employees, leaving many in disbelief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

This odd relationship has been a considerable shock to French family taste.

The New Yorker

This information came as a considerable shock to smokers, who proved reluctant to give up their habit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That, said the judge, "must have come as a considerable shock to both the Home Office and the FCO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office]".

The Guardian

If you are climbing a mountain, finding out that the top is not quite where you thought it was can be a considerable shock.

The New York Times - Arts

But India, whose mere presence in the final was a considerable shock, soundly defeated West Indies to knock it off the top of the world.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was a considerable shock to me and I believe to many of the other bishops, because for the first time it showed us that this was a large-scale problem present in most places and most countries," he said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It's a considerable impact.

BBC

Nevertheless, the deaths of so many people in a Volvo bus has caused considerable shock and concern.

The Guardian

Then, in 2014, Thomas put his hand down a young woman's top and touched her breast, causing her "considerable shock and distress".

BBC

Q: You must have some considerable shock, though.

Cornell University

And considerable shock rippled across the country over the terminations and the brutal language used by Newman to describe freshmen.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a considerable shock" to describe unexpected events that have a significant emotional or practical impact on individuals or organizations. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what experienced the shock.

Common error

Avoid using "a considerable shock" without clearly identifying what caused the shock. Ambiguity can confuse readers and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable shock" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase describes something as being notably surprising or upsetting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a considerable shock" is a noun phrase used to describe something that is surprisingly impactful. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It commonly appears in news and media, wiki, and science contexts, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employing it. While other alternatives such as "a significant surprise" or "a major jolt" can be used, "a considerable shock" specifically highlights the degree of surprise and its effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant surprise

Focuses on the element of surprise, emphasizing its importance.

a major jolt

Emphasizes the abrupt and impactful nature of the shock.

a profound revelation

Highlights the depth and significance of the unexpected discovery.

a stunning disclosure

Emphasizes the element of surprise and unveiling of something unexpected.

a startling awakening

Suggests a sudden realization or awareness.

a rude awakening

Similar to "a startling awakening" but implies a negative or unpleasant realization.

a seismic event

Uses a metaphor to describe an event that causes widespread disruption.

a bombshell revelation

Emphasizes the explosive and impactful nature of the disclosure.

a thunderbolt from the blue

Emphasizes suddenness and unexpectedness.

a complete game changer

Focuses on the transformative impact of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "a considerable shock" in a sentence?

You can use "a considerable shock" to describe an unexpected event that causes surprise or distress. For example, "The sudden announcement of the company's closure was "a considerable shock" to the employees".

What are some alternatives to saying "a considerable shock"?

Alternatives include "a significant surprise", "a major jolt", or "a stunning disclosure", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a considerable shock" or "a surprising event"?

"A considerable shock" implies a stronger emotional or practical impact than "a surprising event". Use ""a considerable shock"" when the event causes significant surprise, distress, or disruption.

What's the difference between "a considerable shock" and "an unexpected event"?

"A considerable shock" emphasizes the emotional or psychological impact of the event, while "an unexpected event" simply highlights the lack of anticipation. "A considerable shock" suggests a stronger reaction and greater significance.