appalled to discover

USAGE SUMMARY

"appalled to discover" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing shock or dismay at finding out something unexpected or unpleasant. Example: "I was appalled to discover the extent of the damage." Alternative expressions include "shocked to find" and "dismayed to learn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Stucley is also appalled to discover that Ann, his wife, has jumped the fence sexually.

The New York Times

Cuvier would no doubt be appalled to discover just how common extinctions would become.

The Guardian - Books

Kailash glanced over my shoulder and was appalled to discover that I was still using Windows 2000.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then, one day, I was appalled to discover a leak in the ceiling of my luxurious gym.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet he is appalled to discover that his most perverse and brutish imaginings are exceeded by reality.

The Guardian - Arts

I was appalled to discover they were not operating any backup of the data they are holding for others.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Grandfather talked to the young strikers & was appalled to learn how they were mistreated & nearly starved.

The New Yorker

Oatley is appalled to hear this.

Huffington Post

We are appalled to see the desecration of another Jewish cemetery.

Huffington Post

In this scene a plastic surgeon is appalled to see a poorly performed closure of a facial injury by his new colleague, a trauma surgeon.

BMC Medical Education

He was appalled, however, to discover Autosport magazine back home had failed to award him its cover.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appalled to discover", ensure that the context clearly establishes the reason for the strong negative reaction. This enhances the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "appalled to discover" in casual conversation or informal writing; the phrase is better suited for formal or serious contexts. Simpler alternatives like "surprised to find" or "disappointed to learn" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appalled to discover" functions as a verb phrase expressing a strong negative emotional reaction (disgust, shock, outrage) upon learning something. It indicates not just a simple discovery, but a discovery that causes significant dismay. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appalled to discover" is a verb phrase used to express a strong negative emotional reaction upon learning something unexpected. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in writing, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it’s best suited for neutral to formal registers, and care should be taken to select appropriate synonyms like "shocked to find" or "dismayed to learn" in more casual settings. The phrase’s effectiveness hinges on clearly establishing the reason for the strong negative reaction to amplify its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shocked to find

Replaces "appalled" with "shocked" and "discover" with "find", maintaining a similar sense of surprise but with slightly less intensity.

horrified to learn

Substitutes "appalled" with "horrified" and "discover" with "learn", amplifying the level of shock and negativity.

dismayed to find out

Replaces "appalled" with "dismayed" and "discover" with "find out", softening the intensity of the negative reaction.

aghast to realize

Uses "aghast" instead of "appalled" and "realize" instead of "discover", providing a more dramatic and less common expression.

dismayed upon learning

Uses "dismayed upon learning" instead of "appalled to discover", providing a slightly more formal tone.

stunned to see

Replaces "appalled" with "stunned" and "discover" with "see", focusing more on the visual aspect of the discovery and reducing the negative connotation.

taken aback to find

Employs "taken aback" instead of "appalled" and "find" instead of "discover", indicating surprise and mild shock without the strong negative judgment.

astounded to observe

Substitutes "appalled" with "astounded" and "discover" with "observe", conveying a sense of bewilderment and surprise.

horrified at the revelation

Replaces the entire phrase with "horrified at the revelation", emphasizing the source of the dismay rather than the act of discovering.

outraged to see

Replaces "appalled" with "outraged", focusing on anger rather than shock and uses "see" instead of "discover".

FAQs

How can I use "appalled to discover" in a sentence?

Use "appalled to discover" to express strong disapproval or shock upon learning something unexpected. For example, "I was appalled to discover the extent of the pollution."

What are some alternatives to "appalled to discover"?

You can use alternatives like "shocked to find", "dismayed to learn", or "horrified to discover depending on the context and the intensity of the emotion you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "appalled to discover" or "surprised to discover"?

"Appalled to discover" indicates a stronger negative reaction than "surprised to discover". Choose "appalled" when the discovery evokes strong disapproval or moral outrage, and "surprised" when it's simply unexpected.

What's the difference between "appalled to discover" and "disappointed to discover"?

"Appalled to discover" suggests a sense of outrage or moral offense, while "disappointed to discover" implies a feeling of sadness or disillusionment. The choice depends on the specific emotional response to the discovery.