absolutely shocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely shocking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disbelief or disapproval regarding a situation or event that is surprising or disturbing. Example: "The news of the scandal was absolutely shocking to everyone in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"It was a shocking decision, absolutely shocking.

The Guardian - Sport

"The apathy within the game in Wales to do anything about it is shocking, it's absolutely shocking.

BBC

It is absolutely shocking.

Independent

It's absolutely shocking.

The Guardian

Mr Morgan told The Independent: "This is absolutely shocking.

Independent

What happened was, to naïve old me, absolutely shocking.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Absolutely shocked.

The New York Times - Sports

They were absolutely shocked.

The New York Times

"I was absolutely shocked.

Independent

We were absolutely shocked.

The New York Times

"The data absolutely shocked me.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely shocking" to express strong negative reactions to unexpected or disturbing events. It is effective when you want to convey surprise combined with disapproval or disbelief.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely shocking" for minor inconveniences or slightly surprising news. Reserve it for truly significant and disturbing events to maintain its impact. Using milder terms like "surprising" or "unexpected" in less dramatic situations is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely shocking" functions as an intensifier (absolutely) combined with an adjective (shocking) to express a strong emotional reaction of surprise, disbelief, or disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and appropriateness in conveying strong negative sentiment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolutely shocking" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express intense surprise and disapproval. Ludwig AI validates its frequent usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations that genuinely warrant strong emotional expression. To ensure accuracy and appropriateness, consider the specific context and explore alternatives like "utterly appalling" or "completely outrageous" as needed. Also, be cautious not to overuse it in situations that do not warrant such a strong sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly appalling

Replaces "shocking" with "appalling" to emphasize the morally reprehensible nature of something.

completely outrageous

Substitutes "shocking" with "outrageous", focusing on the unacceptable or offensive quality of the situation.

totally unacceptable

Emphasizes the unacceptability of something rather than its surprising nature.

thoroughly reprehensible

Uses a more formal and intense vocabulary to convey strong disapproval.

simply unbelievable

Shifts the focus to the incredibility of the event, rather than the emotional reaction.

genuinely horrifying

Replaces "shocking" with "horrifying" to highlight the terrifying aspects of something.

truly dismaying

Substitutes "shocking" with "dismaying", focusing on the disappointment and discouragement caused by something.

downright scandalous

Highlights the scandalous nature of something, suggesting public outrage.

unquestionably disturbing

Emphasizes the unsettling and troubling aspects of a situation or event.

flat-out unacceptable

More informal phrasing emphasizing the unacceptability of the situation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "absolutely shocking" in a sentence?

Use "absolutely shocking" to express a strong negative reaction to something unexpected and disturbing. For example, "The level of corruption revealed in the investigation was absolutely shocking."

What are some alternatives to "absolutely shocking" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "utterly appalling", "completely outrageous", or "genuinely horrifying".

Is "absolutely shocking" too informal for professional writing?

While "absolutely shocking" is generally acceptable, consider the formality of your context. In highly formal settings, alternatives like "thoroughly reprehensible" or "unquestionably disturbing" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "absolutely shocking" and "slightly surprising"?

"Absolutely shocking" conveys a strong sense of disbelief and disapproval, indicating a significant negative surprise. "Slightly surprising", on the other hand, suggests a mild level of unexpectedness without strong negative connotations.