appalling problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appalling problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or issue that is shocking or extremely bad in nature. Example: "The community is facing an appalling problem with homelessness that needs immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

Nazis accused of crimes

Crime and corruption in Venezuela

Traffic problems in London

AIDS problem

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

From Curt Johnson, a member of the 20th Armored Division: The most traumatic event occurred when, as the chief of staff's radio operator, I received a haunting message in early April that became a horribly appalling problem and the basis for the Nuremberg war crimes trials of Nazis accused of crimes against humanity.

The New York Times - Books

Among the challenges bequeathed to Maduro, who assumed the presidency by a razor-thin majority in elections last April, two have been pressing: an appalling problem of crime and corruption that has propelled Venezuela into the top 10 of global corruption and homicide indices; and a dysfunctional economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They came to marvel at his solution to the appalling problems caused by untreated sewage and contaminated water supplies in a rapidly expanding city, which led to epidemics of killer diseases including cholera.

The Guardian

"Traditional" as some may find him, Solzhenitsyn can pose appalling problems for the translator, with his highly condensed, elliptical syntax, his urge to counter the legacy of anaemic Soviet-speak with vigorous examples of regional and obsolescent vocabulary, and his blurring of narrators' and characters' voices, exploiting a linguistic flexibility which English lacks.

The Guardian - Books

The Govt. has finally announced that it proposes to do something about London's appalling traffic problem.

The New Yorker

It has an appalling AIDS problem, a history of attempted secession and abortive coups, and an economy that has stagnated since independence.

The Economist

The New Yorker, January 1 , 1966P. 56 The Govt. has finally announced that it proposes to do something about London's appalling traffic problem.

The New Yorker

Reviewing "Walk in My Shoes," an installment in the Bell & Howell "Close-Up!" series, The New York Herald Tribune called it "one of the finest documentaries ever offered on television," adding, "No one with a spark of human compassion could witness this program without an infinitely deeper understanding and sense of concern for an appalling American problem".

The New York Times - Arts

The rest of Sunday's mostly unremarkable show offered a few glimmers of progress, including big wins for Kacey Musgraves and a tart monologue by the show's host, Reba McEntire, both of which chipped away at country music's appalling gender problem.

Los Angeles Times

Double-digit housing inflation is not merely creating appalling social problems and division between classes and generations but grossly distorting investment from productive activities to property holding.

Independent

It subsequently became a useful food for the Italian poor who for a long time suffered appalling health problems from eating inadequately prepared maize.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appalling problem", ensure the context clearly indicates the severe or shocking nature of the issue being described. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences.

Common error

Avoid using "appalling problem" to describe situations that are merely unpleasant or inconvenient. Reserve it for truly shocking or severely negative issues to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appalling problem" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "appalling" modifies the noun "problem". It is used to describe a problem that is shockingly bad or extremely serious. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appalling problem" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes a shockingly bad or serious issue. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity. While not overly common, it appears primarily in news and media contexts, conveying strong disapproval. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the severity of the situation. For alternative expressions, consider "terrible issue" or "dreadful situation" to adjust the intensity. Be mindful to avoid overusing the phrase for minor inconveniences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible issue

Replaces "appalling" with a more common synonym, lessening the intensity.

dreadful situation

Shifts from a specific "problem" to a more general "situation", implying a broader scope of negativity.

horrific predicament

Replaces "problem" with "predicament", suggesting a difficult or dangerous situation.

shocking crisis

Emphasizes the unexpected and disturbing nature of the problem by using "shocking" and framing it as a "crisis".

severe difficulty

Focuses on the challenging aspect of the situation, using more neutral language.

grave concern

Highlights the seriousness and worry associated with the problem.

dire straits

Implies a situation of extreme urgency and difficulty.

formidable challenge

Presents the problem as a significant obstacle to overcome.

vexing matter

Uses more formal language to describe a problem that causes annoyance or frustration.

troubling development

Suggests the problem is a recent and unwelcome change.

FAQs

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

Use "appalling problem" to describe a situation that is shockingly bad or of very poor quality. For example, "The city is facing an "appalling problem" with homelessness."

What can I say instead of "appalling problem"?

You can use alternatives like "terrible issue", "dreadful situation", or "shocking crisis" depending on the specific context.

Is "appalling problem" formal or informal?

"Appalling problem" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts when describing something extremely negative. The choice depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone.

What distinguishes "appalling problem" from "alarming problem"?

"Appalling problem" emphasizes the shocking or morally offensive nature of the issue, while "alarming problem" highlights the cause for concern or worry it generates. The best choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize.