appalling act

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appalling act" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is shocking, horrifying, or morally unacceptable. Example: "The community was left in disbelief after the appalling act of vandalism that occurred last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

The attack in Salisbury was an appalling act of violence.

The Guardian

Cameron says the killing of the three Israeli teenagers was an appalling act of terror.

The Guardian

His campaign is making phone calls saying Hillary supports this appalling act of terrorism.

The New York Times

The move was condemned by local politicians as "an appalling act of cultural vandalism".

The Guardian

"This is an appalling act of cultural vandalism," said Simon Cooke, the Conservative leader on Bradford city council.

The Guardian

The New York Times denounced the decision as an "appalling act of political cowardice" and the Association of Art Museum Directors decried it as "unwarranted and uninformed censorship".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Humans accused other humans sitting among them of appalling acts of inhumanity.

The New York Times - Sports

The shock is at yet more appalling acts committed in the name of Islam.

The Guardian

The judge said both men justified Isis's most appalling acts and expressed contempt for democracy.

The Guardian

"But I hope the authorities will condemn all those responsible for these appalling acts.

The Guardian

Gizouli was not bringing that case "to excuse the appalling acts of which her son is accused", he added.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appalling act", ensure that the context clearly establishes the severity and negative impact of the action being described.

Common error

Avoid using "appalling act" for minor inconveniences or disagreements. This phrase is best reserved for truly shocking or morally reprehensible situations to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appalling act" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "appalling" modifies the noun "act". It describes a specific action characterized by its shocking or morally reprehensible nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appalling act" is a powerful expression used to describe events that are shockingly bad or morally reprehensible. As Ludwig AI explains, its grammatical status is correct and usable in English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to convey strong disapproval and is best reserved for situations involving violence, injustice, or severe ethical breaches. Alternatives like "shocking deed" or "horrific action" can be used for similar effect, but the specific choice should reflect the nuances of the situation at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shocking deed

Emphasizes the surprise and disbelief caused by the action.

horrific action

Focuses on the terrible and dreadful nature of the action.

atrocious event

Highlights the extreme wickedness or cruelty of the event.

outrageous offense

Stresses the violation of standards of decency or morality.

despicable behavior

Refers to conduct that is deserving of contempt or disgust.

heinous crime

Indicates a particularly wicked and reprehensible crime.

abominable conduct

Points to behavior that is intensely disliked or loathed.

unforgivable transgression

Emphasizes the action cannot be excused or pardoned.

deplorable incident

Highlights the regrettable and unfortunate nature of the incident.

grievous misdeed

Indicates a serious and severe wrongdoing.

FAQs

How can I use "appalling act" in a sentence?

You can use "appalling act" to describe events that are shockingly bad or morally wrong. For example, "The attack in Salisbury was an "appalling act" of violence".

What phrases are similar to "appalling act"?

Alternatives include "shocking deed", "horrific action", or "atrocious event", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the action's negative impact.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "appalling act"?

Use "appalling act" when describing events that cause significant moral outrage or are shockingly negative. It's best suited for situations involving violence, injustice, or severe ethical violations.

Is "appalling act" considered formal or informal language?

"Appalling act" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts when describing something severely wrong or shocking. However, be mindful of the audience and ensure the tone aligns with the severity of the situation.