a major shock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major shock" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that causes significant surprise or distress. Example: "The news of the sudden resignation of the CEO was a major shock to the entire company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Plummeting oil prices — down 43percentt from a year ago — have dealt a major shock to Iraq, which relies on oil for 90percentt of its revenues.

Los Angeles Times

"If so, it blows away the commitments they made only days ago in their own European election manifesto and will come as a major shock to the Europhobes who appear to form the majority in today's Conservative party.

The Guardian

It would not be a major shock.

The New York Times

"It's a major shock for me".

The New York Times - Style

"This has been a major shock," Mr. Applegarth said.

The New York Times

But the news of his departure is still a major shock today.

The Guardian - Business

If he goes under par and competes for the tournament, it will be a major shock.

The New Yorker

It would be a major shock if he were to beat Murray.

The Guardian - Sport

It will be a major shock, in a women's tournament lacking upsets, if Safina won.

The Guardian - Sport

"We're quietly hopeful we won't get a major shock from the settlement," he said.

The Guardian

The system, he claims, needs a major shock if real reform is to occur.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a major shock" to emphasize the surprise and potential negative impact of an event. It effectively conveys that something unexpected and significant has occurred.

Common error

While effective, avoid using "a major shock" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "a significant surprise" or "a considerable jolt" to maintain reader engagement and prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major shock" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes an event or piece of information that causes significant surprise and often distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a major shock" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote an unexpected and impactful event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct for written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it effectively conveys surprise and intensity. While versatile, it's advisable to diversify vocabulary to avoid overuse. Alternatives such as "a significant surprise" or "a considerable jolt" can offer nuanced expressions of the same sentiment. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for various communication styles. Its widespread usage is evident from its presence in numerous authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant surprise

Replaces "shock" with a more general term for unexpected events. Retains the sense of surprise but may lessen the intensity.

a considerable jolt

Substitutes "shock" with "jolt", highlighting the sudden and impactful nature of the event.

a rude awakening

Implies a sudden and unpleasant realization, emphasizing the negative aspect of the surprise.

an unexpected blow

Focuses on the damaging or upsetting nature of the surprising event.

a startling revelation

Highlights the disclosure aspect of the surprise, often implying previously unknown information.

a seismic event

Emphasizes the far-reaching and transformative impact of the surprise.

a stunning development

Focuses on the impressiveness and unexpectedness of the event.

a bolt from the blue

Indicates that the event was completely unexpected and without warning.

a bombshell announcement

Highlights the dramatic and impactful nature of the surprise as a public declaration.

an earth-shattering occurrence

Emphasizes the catastrophic and transformative nature of the surprising event.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major shock" to describe a surprising and often negative event. For example, "The sudden announcement of the company's closure was "a major shock" to its employees".

What can I say instead of "a major shock"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant surprise", "a considerable jolt", or "a rude awakening" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a major shock to the system"?

Yes, "a major shock to the system" is a common and correct idiom. It describes an event that has a disruptive and significant impact. See Ludwig AI analysis for confirmation.

What's the difference between "a major shock" and "a minor shock"?

"A major shock" implies a significant and impactful surprise, while "a minor shock" suggests a less impactful and perhaps only slightly surprising event.