all the more shocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all the more shocking" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that something is even more surprising or unexpected than it would normally be. Example: "The news of the scandal was all the more shocking given the company's previously stellar reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Often, this involves their committing a crime, which is all the more shocking in that it receives no authorial comment.

The New Yorker

His reverence for Hoover and strict bureau procedure made Gray's appointment as director all the more shocking.

The Guardian

The blow was all the more shocking because every pundit in this intensely political country had called Mr. Peres a shoo-in.

The New York Times

And it was all the more shocking after the production's Isolde, the wonderful Nina Stemme, had just received a standing ovation.

The Guardian

Garrett Lombard's restrained Stanley plays down machismo in favour of sarcasm, which makes his outbursts of violence all the more shocking.

The Guardian

The killing was all the more shocking to Bezuidenhout and his staff at the Mauricedale Game Ranch in Malelane because it has seen no poaching incidents since 2007.

The Guardian

The fertility of these records was only matched by their quality: they were an expression of his lust for life, which makes his death all the more shocking.

The Guardian - Music

The killing of four people by a gunman who went on a rampage near Düsseldorf last week was all the more shocking for being exceptional.

The New York Times - Arts

Now, something to note here -- my mother doesn't smoke, drink or generally do anything unhealthy or bad, which was all the more shocking that she got breast cancer.

Huffington Post

"That makes this all the more shocking".

The Guardian

That context makes the Amnesty report all the more shocking.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all the more shocking" to emphasize a surprising or unexpected element, particularly when the situation already implies some level of surprise or negativity. This intensifies the reader's perception of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "all the more shocking" when the context isn't inherently surprising or negative. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for situations where the shock is genuinely amplified by specific circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all the more shocking" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a statement to emphasize the degree of surprise or unexpectedness. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage. The phrase intensifies the impact of the adjective "shocking."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all the more shocking" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase widely used to amplify the sense of surprise or unexpectedness associated with an event. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and commonly used, especially in news and media. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, its use is most impactful when reserved for contexts where the shock is genuinely intensified. Remember to avoid overuse in less surprising situations to maintain its effect. Alternatives like "even more appalling" or "particularly disturbing" can be used to add nuance depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particularly disturbing

Substitutes "shocking" with "disturbing", focusing on the unsettling nature of the event.

even more appalling

Replaces "shocking" with a stronger term, "appalling", to intensify the negative impact.

utterly outrageous

Replaces "shocking" with "outrageous", focusing on the unacceptable or offensive nature of the event.

especially surprising

Replaces "shocking" with "surprising", highlighting the unexpected aspect of the situation.

increasingly alarming

Shifts the focus to the escalating sense of alarm caused by the event.

incredibly dismaying

Highlights the feeling of disappointment and discouragement caused by the event.

doubly surprising

Uses "doubly" to emphasize the increased level of surprise or shock.

unexpectedly awful

Highlights the unforeseen and terrible nature of the situation.

unusually dreadful

Emphasizes the uncommon and terrible nature of the event.

remarkably dreadful

Emphasizes the negative impact and exceptional terribleness of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "all the more shocking" in a sentence?

Use "all the more shocking" to emphasize the surprising nature of an event, especially when certain conditions amplify the unexpectedness. For example, "The betrayal was all the more shocking because it came from a trusted friend."

What phrases can I use instead of "all the more shocking"?

You can use alternatives like "even more appalling", "particularly disturbing", or "especially surprising" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "even more shocking" instead of "all the more shocking"?

Yes, "even more shocking" is a grammatically sound and semantically similar alternative to "all the more shocking". Both phrases serve to emphasize the surprising nature of an event or situation.

What makes something "all the more shocking" versus simply "shocking"?

The phrase "all the more shocking" implies that there are specific factors that intensify the level of surprise or disbelief associated with an event. It suggests that something already surprising has been made even more so by particular circumstances.