appalling amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appalling amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is shockingly bad or unacceptable. Example: "The report revealed an appalling amount of waste generated by the factory last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Studies have shown an appalling amount of harm caused by medical errors, and the Institute of Medicine has urged the Bush administration to finance demonstration projects to find ways to prevent it.

The New York Times

To the naked eye and the naked ear, the A's do not resemble the Yankees because the A's have a youthful level of scuzzy swagger mixed with an appalling amount of junk food and brutally loud rap music.

The New York Times - Sports

He put a host of profitable companies under one roof but spent an appalling amount of money to do so (Tyco has twenty-seven binlion debtand in debtherend there's little evidence that those companies performed better after Kozlowski came along.

The New Yorker

So it has also brought with it an appalling amount of unwanted sex.

Los Angeles Times

Instead, we merely identify the relatively minuscule but still appalling amount of the budget that is actually wasted.

Huffington Post

There is an appalling amount of ignorance in some people's minds; but a lack of understanding does not justify a hate crime.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This has already been explained countless times, in extremely specific detail, with appalling amounts of hard data.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But even in public institutions like military boot camp, novices can be subjected to appalling amounts of stress and humiliation, all in the name of training.

The New York Times

Today, a small cadre of the wealthiest Americans also threatens democracy itself through spending appalling amounts of money to buy votes, influence officials and gain access to power.

Huffington Post

Sexual violence continues to occur in appalling amounts, and children are too often the targets.

Unicef

I have worked many times as a dishwasher in restaurants and always found appalling and wasteful the amount of food I had to scrape from plates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appalling amount of" to express strong disapproval or shock regarding a quantity, often in contexts involving negative consequences or ethical concerns. It adds emphasis to the scale of the problem.

Common error

Avoid using "appalling amount of" when a more neutral term like "large amount of" or "significant quantity of" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a strong negative connotation and should be reserved for situations where this negativity is warranted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appalling amount of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It serves to emphasize the shockingly bad or unacceptable quantity of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "appalling amount of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a quantity that is shockingly bad or unacceptable. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is commonly found in news and media, but can also appear in formal and business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the strong negative connotation it carries and ensure it aligns with the intended message. Alternatives like "shocking quantity of" or "unacceptable level of" may be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shocking quantity of

Replaces "appalling" with "shocking", emphasizing the surprise or disbelief at the quantity.

unacceptable level of

Focuses on the unacceptability of the amount rather than its shocking nature.

egregious amount of

Uses "egregious" to highlight the offensiveness or outrageousness of the quantity.

outrageous quantity of

Similar to 'egregious', but with a stronger emphasis on the sense of moral outrage.

astonishing quantity of

Emphasizes the surprising and impressive nature of the amount, often used when the quantity is surprisingly large.

excessive quantity of

Highlights that the amount is beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.

inordinate amount of

Implies the amount is unrestrained or immoderate.

unconscionable quantity of

Indicates the amount is so excessive as to be morally reprehensible.

a disturbing amount of

Highlights the troubling or unsettling nature of the quantity.

a frightful amount of

Uses "frightful" to convey a sense of alarm or dread related to the quantity.

FAQs

What does "appalling amount of" mean?

The phrase "appalling amount of" signifies a quantity so large or unacceptable that it elicits shock, disapproval, or disgust.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "appalling amount of"?

Use "appalling amount of" when you want to express strong disapproval or shock about a quantity. It's suitable for contexts involving ethical concerns, negative consequences, or significant problems. For more neutral situations, consider using "large amount of" or "significant quantity of".

What are some alternatives to "appalling amount of"?

Alternatives include "shocking quantity of", "unacceptable level of", or "egregious amount of", each varying slightly in the specific nuance of negativity or shock they convey.

How does the tone of "appalling amount of" differ from "large amount of"?

"Appalling amount of" carries a strong negative connotation, expressing shock or disapproval, while "large amount of" is more neutral and simply indicates a substantial quantity without necessarily implying a negative judgment.