an appalling experience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an appalling experience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that was shocking, terrible, or extremely unpleasant. Example: "The service at the restaurant was so poor that it turned into an appalling experience for all of us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I think he found the whole thing an appalling experience".

The Guardian

I think he had found the whole thing an appalling experience".

The Guardian

You can see, looking at this accident, what an appalling experience it must have been for everyone.

The Guardian

Watching their colleagues die one by one had been an appalling experience.

Science Magazine

Salisbury District Hospital said he had been through an "appalling experience most of us could never imagine".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And why is Tom Bullough, the runner-up in question, describing a "truly appalling experience" on his website that prompted him to leave the building at high speed and refuse his cheque?

The Guardian - Books

"A mortifying and appalling experience," said one, while another fan posted on the standup's Facebook page: "Absolutely awful.

The Guardian

The point missed is that we are talking here of a community whose universally appalling experience of many services - including the medical ones - appears to be ignored wholesale.

Independent

Her oldest brother, Joseph, was killed in the second world war; her elder sister, Rosemary, had learning difficulties and underwent the appalling experience of a prefrontal lobotomy that ruined the rest of her long life; another sister, Kathleen, died in a plane crash in 1948.

The Guardian

This massive context switching of "YOU'RE IN WINDOWS WAIT NO NO YOU'RE NOT!" creates an appalling user experience.

The Guardian - Tech

She tells of one appalling experience on tour.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's "appalling experience", consider also conveying the emotional impact of the experience.

Common error

Avoid using "an appalling experience" for minor inconveniences. Overusing such strong language diminishes its impact and can make your writing seem exaggerated or insincere.

Linguistic Context

An Appalling Experience functions as a descriptive phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. It describes a noun (the experience) with the adjective 'appalling,' indicating something extremely unpleasant or shocking. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an appalling experience" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, though it carries significant negative weight. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for describing truly shocking or unpleasant events. Its usage is most frequent in news and media contexts, with a neutral formality level. When using this phrase, ensure that the situation warrants such strong language to avoid hyperbole. Consider alternatives like "a terrible ordeal" or "an awful experience" for less intense scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an awful experience

A more general term for something very bad or unpleasant.

a painful experience

Focuses on the emotional or physical discomfort involved.

a terrible ordeal

Focuses on the difficulty and prolonged nature of the experience.

a harrowing time

Highlights the distress and suffering endured during the experience.

a dreadful event

Emphasizes the unpleasant and often shocking nature of the occurrence.

a nightmarish situation

Conveys a sense of surreal and terrifying discomfort.

a shocking episode

Emphasizes the surprise and upsetting nature of the experience.

a traumatic event

Highlights the lasting emotional damage caused by the experience.

a regrettable incident

Emphasizes the feeling of wishing the experience had not happened.

an unpleasant encounter

Downplays the severity while still indicating a negative experience.

FAQs

How can "an appalling experience" be used in a sentence?

You can use "an appalling experience" to describe events that were extremely unpleasant or shocking. For instance, "Witnessing the accident was "an appalling experience"".

What's a less intense alternative to "an appalling experience"?

If "an appalling experience" feels too strong, consider using alternatives like "an awful experience" or "a terrible ordeal", which convey negativity without the same level of intensity.

When is it appropriate to use "an appalling experience"?

It's appropriate when describing events that cause significant distress, shock, or horror. It's suitable for conveying a sense of outrage or disgust at a situation.

Is "appalling experience" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter. However, reserve its use for truly serious situations to avoid sounding overly dramatic.