appalling presence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appalling presence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a presence that is shocking, horrifying, or deeply unsettling, often in a negative context. Example: "The appalling presence of the abandoned building loomed over the neighborhood, casting a shadow of despair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Hondros wanted to take portraits of people but also countries: full portraits that incorporated the aftermath of war as well as its appalling presence.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For even in Allen's exceptional gallery of schlemiels, nebbishes and putzes, Rose stands out as something special: no book smarts, zero sexual presence, appalling dress sense.

The Guardian - Film

And his aggressive know-nothingism remains an especially appalling and depressingly dominant presence in the media culture.

Huffington Post

But history can simply hold things up; it does with a story from the early 18th century, of a mother executed in her daughter's presence, which is appalling but only tentatively anchored in the book and which may be one horror too many.

The New York Times - Books

What is clear, though, is that an incomplete resection in the presence ofN2 disease has appalling results.

Cancer Imaging

The void left by the two destroyed Buddha figures is appalling, it rouses an emotion almost more powerful than their once tranquil presence did for centuries.

The Guardian

Furthermore, the prolonged presence of a dead body on the isolation ward is frightening and appalling and undermines the willingness of hospital staff to work on the Ebola ward and of probable cases, namely among HCWs, to accept hospitalisation.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Without the UN presence in Syria, we would lack the clarity and authority to attribute such appalling attacks to the Syrian government and its supporting militias.

Huffington Post

We are now exceptionally skilled at keeping people alive, despite the most appalling wounds – one way in which the expertise of our surgeons has inadvertently helped make our presence in Afghanistan more palatable for the UK's civilian population.

Independent

Despite her recent trials and tribulations, Britney Spears has somehow managed to carve out an interesting online presence, memorably taking down Iggy Azalea after a clash about promotional commitments for their appalling duet, Pretty Girls.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's appalling — appalling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appalling presence" when you want to emphasize the shocking and deeply disturbing nature of something that is present or felt. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing the sense of horror or disgust.

Common error

Avoid using "appalling presence" to describe minor inconveniences or dislikes. This phrase carries significant weight and should be reserved for situations that evoke genuine horror or disgust, not mere annoyance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appalling presence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "appalling" modifies the noun "presence". It describes the quality of a presence as being shockingly bad or unpleasant. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appalling presence" is used to describe something profoundly disturbing or shocking that is noticeably present. Grammatically correct, it functions as a noun phrase, where 'appalling' modifies 'presence' to emphasize its negative quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for written English when conveying strong disapproval or horror. While versatile, avoid using it for trivial matters to maintain its impact. The phrase appears in various reputable sources, from news to scientific publications. Alternatives include "dreadful atmosphere" and "disturbing influence", which offer different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dreadful atmosphere

Replaces both words with synonyms, focusing on the overall feeling or environment created.

horrific aura

Substitutes "appalling" and "presence" with words emphasizing the terrifying aspect of the situation.

terrible manifestation

Changes "presence" to a more concrete term, referring to the way something appears or is displayed.

awful specter

Implies a haunting or ghostly quality to the unpleasant thing that is present.

disturbing influence

Shifts the focus to the effect the presence has, rather than the presence itself.

grim reality

Emphasizes the factual and unavoidable nature of the unpleasant situation.

unsettling feeling

Highlights the emotional impact of the presence, focusing on the unease it creates.

ghastly shadow

Uses metaphorical language to depict the presence as something dark and looming.

repulsive aspect

Focuses on the disgusting or offensive nature of the presence.

offensive air

Suggests the presence is unpleasant or disagreeable, like a bad smell or inappropriate behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "appalling presence" to describe something shocking or disturbing that is noticeably present. For example, "The appalling presence of the war's aftermath was evident in the destroyed buildings."

What's a less intense alternative to "appalling presence"?

If "appalling presence" is too strong, consider using phrases like "disturbing influence" or "unsettling feeling" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "appalling presence" to describe a person?

While less common, you can use "appalling presence" to describe a person if their behavior or demeanor is deeply disturbing or shocking. However, be mindful of the strong negative connotation.

What words typically accompany "appalling presence"?

Common accompanying words include "war", "destruction", "poverty", "suffering", and words related to negative emotions like "fear", "despair", and "disgust".