appalling times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appalling times" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe periods or situations that are shocking, terrible, or distressing. Example: "The news reports from the war zone depict appalling times for the civilians caught in the conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But it would be more true to say that the times brought forth the man, and these were appalling times.

The New York Times - Books

These are therefore both exciting and appalling times, if we accept that responsibility for the planet's welfare is devolving to us.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"But this is the most appalling time for all of us.

The New York Times

What a strange, appalling time to be an American conservative.

Forbes

"I appreciate that the lady in question has been through an appalling time and I wouldn't seek in any way to make that worse, but he is continuing to be the victim of a witch hunt and my own personal belief is that whether or not he is guilty of that crime, he deserves a second chance of playing football".

BBC

"Appalling," Time's television critic, James Poniewozik, tweeted.

Huffington Post

What a truly appalling time to be alive.

Vice

In this appalling time, Viktor Frankl reminds us that what we do and how we think about it actually matter.

Huffington Post

"It is really a shocking reflection of how rape and domestic violence have been handled in this country… we are still seeing these appalling cases, time after time, where actually the victim is turned into a suspect," she said.

BBC

And, why don't patients of those doctors with appalling waiting times rebel, and move to another practice with shorter waits?

The Guardian

She said the Party of No had tried this tactic, which has gotten very little publicity, an appalling 175 times recently on one piece of health-care legislation that stressed prevention to cut costs.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing historical analyses, use "appalling times" to create a strong emotional connection with readers and highlight the impact of past events.

Common error

Avoid using "appalling times" in everyday conversation or informal writing, as it is a strong phrase best reserved for truly serious or shocking situations to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "appalling times" is to act as a noun phrase, where "appalling" modifies the noun "times". It serves to describe periods characterized by extreme negativity or horror, aligning with Ludwig's examples from reputable sources like The New York Times.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Books

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appalling times" is a phrase used to describe periods marked by significant negative events and moral decline. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct, though rare in usage. It appears mainly in news and media contexts. When writing, reserve this phrase for situations that warrant strong disapproval and avoid overuse in casual contexts. While "terrible times" and "horrific periods" can be used as alternatives, "appalling times" carries a particularly strong connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible times

Focuses more directly on the unpleasant or distressing nature of the period.

horrific periods

Emphasizes the shocking and dreadful quality of the times.

dreadful eras

Highlights the unpleasantness and fear associated with the specific time.

dire moments

Stresses the urgency and severity of the situation during that time.

challenging circumstances

Underlines the difficulties and hardships faced during the era.

difficult days

Simplifies the description to emphasize the hardship of the era.

unsettling years

Focuses on the anxiety and instability of the time.

troubled age

Highlights the problems and unrest characteristic of the period.

catastrophic period

Emphasizes the disastrous and destructive aspects of the time.

dark age

Indicates a period characterized by decline, chaos or suffering.

FAQs

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

You can use "appalling times" to describe periods characterized by significant negative events. For example: "These were "appalling times", with widespread poverty and disease."

What are some alternatives to "appalling times"?

Alternatives include "terrible times", "horrific periods", or "dreadful eras", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

It is appropriate to use "appalling times" when referring to periods marked by significant suffering, moral decline, or widespread negative events, such as during wars, pandemics, or economic depressions.

Is there a difference between "appalling times" and "difficult times"?

"Appalling times" suggests a greater degree of severity and moral reprehensibility than "difficult times". While "difficult times" simply implies hardship, "appalling times" implies shock, disgust, and moral outrage.