a ghastly sight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a ghastly sight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is horrifying or shocking to look at. Example: "The aftermath of the storm left a ghastly sight, with debris scattered everywhere and homes destroyed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is a ghastly sight, an anatomical impossibility (if you are rowing properly, that is) and physiologically dangerous... Wouldn't you rather be playing tennis or something like that?!" While parity with the men's race is a big step in the right direction, some still believe that total equality in rowing is a way off.

The Guardian

It was a ghastly sight.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The rest was a ghastly mess.

The Guardian - Music

One New York Times reporter described the incident in detail, noting that it was "awful" and "the witnesses were so horrified by the ghastly sight that they could not take their eyes off it".

Encyclopedia Britannica

What disturbing realities might we soon learn from children's reactions to the overwhelming images from New York, be they the ghastly sight of the planes flying into the towers, or their collapse, or the abiding images of recovery folded into the language of warfare and the reality of biological terrorism?

The New York Times

It was a grisly sight".

The New York Times - Sports

Each day this city presents its residents with ghastly sights and reminders that there has been no shortage of ill fortune here.

The New York Times

After the Battle of Savage's Station on June 29, for example, Sneden recorded the overwhelming carnage, where even "the most humane man, with the strongest nerves, breathing for days the poisoned atmosphere of festering wounds, gazing on the most ghastly sights, and hearing the piercing shrieks of the patients while undergoing the operations, is absolutely compelled to shut his eyes".

The New York Times

This route had a clear view of the Manhattan skyline, a ghastly caricature of its former glory.

Critical Care

A characteristic passage: For any true stickler, you see, the sight of the plural word "Book's" with an apostrophe in it will trigger a ghastly private emotional process similar to the stages of bereavement, though greatly accelerated.

The New Yorker

A characteristic passage: **{:.break one} ** For any true stickler, you see, the sight of the plural word "Book's" with an apostrophe in it will trigger a ghastly private emotional process similar to the stages of bereavement, though greatly accelerated.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a ghastly sight", ensure the context clearly establishes the cause and nature of the horror or shock being described to maximize impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a ghastly sight" in everyday or trivial situations, as it can sound melodramatic. Reserve it for genuinely shocking or horrifying scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a ghastly sight" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or object, describing something visually horrifying or shocking. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to convey strong negative impressions of what is seen.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a ghastly sight" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as determined by Ludwig AI, employed to depict something profoundly unpleasant or shocking. It commonly appears in News & Media contexts, conveying strong negative impressions of a visual scene. Alternatives like "a horrifying spectacle" or "a dreadful scene" can be used to achieve similar effects. When employing this phrase, ensure the context warrants its strong connotations to avoid sounding melodramatic. Remember, while grammatically correct, its effectiveness lies in accurately reflecting the intensity of the described scene.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a horrifying spectacle

Replaces 'ghastly' with 'horrifying' and 'sight' with 'spectacle', emphasizing the visual and shocking nature of the scene.

a dreadful scene

Uses 'dreadful' instead of 'ghastly' and 'scene' instead of 'sight', highlighting the unpleasantness and disturbing quality.

an appalling view

Substitutes 'ghastly' with 'appalling' and 'sight' with 'view', stressing the shocking and offensive aspect of what is seen.

a gruesome vision

Replaces 'ghastly' with 'gruesome' and 'sight' with 'vision', emphasizing the horrific and macabre nature of the scene.

a shocking display

Uses 'shocking' in place of 'ghastly' and 'display' instead of 'sight', highlighting the startling and disturbing nature of what is observed.

a frightful scene

Synonymous replacement, frightful, similar to ghastly, is a scene that would be scary to look at.

a horrific image

Uses 'horrific' to denote something causing horror, similar to ghastly, while emphasizing its visual element.

an awful spectacle

Replaces 'ghastly' with 'awful', indicating something extremely unpleasant, while using 'spectacle' to focus on the visual aspect.

a terrible view

Synonymous replacement, terrible, similar to ghastly, is a view that would cause sadness or regret.

a disturbing panorama

Replaces ghastly with disturbing, it's like looking at a panorama that would leave an uncomfortable feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "a ghastly sight" in a sentence?

Use "a ghastly sight" to describe something extremely unpleasant or shocking to look at. For example, "The accident scene was "a ghastly sight", with wreckage scattered across the road".

What are some alternatives to "a ghastly sight"?

Alternatives include "a horrifying spectacle", "a dreadful scene", or "an appalling view", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ghastly sight" formal or informal?

"Ghastly sight" is generally considered neutral in formality, suitable for news reports and descriptive writing but might be perceived as overly dramatic in casual conversation.

What makes something qualify as "a ghastly sight"?

A "ghastly sight" typically involves elements that are visually disturbing, often due to death, decay, violence, or severe damage. It evokes a strong sense of horror or disgust.