as a shock for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a shock for" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express that something serves as a surprise or unexpected event for someone, but it would be better to rephrase it for clarity. Example: "The news came as a shock for everyone involved, leaving them speechless."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"It comes as a shock for them".

The New York Times

This has come as a shock for me as a working parent.

The Times

Marton said the migrant situation had come as a shock for many Hungarians.

The Guardian

"The decision taken in court came as a shock for all of us.

The Guardian - Sport

This comes as a shock, for we have not heard his voice before at all.

The Guardian - Books

We wanted everyone to know why this change was happening since it would come as a shock for many.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The election of Donald Trump came as more than a shock for many opponents of the Republican businessman.

The Washington Post

The upset was as much of a shock for Democrats as the venomous campaign that preceded it in which Mr. Chambliss accused Mr. Cleland, a triple amputee, of not being committed to national security.

The New York Times

"This came as a shock of course for all of us and for Catholics around the world," Lavagna told Lauer.

Huffington Post

To have to go through a 2-28 year coming into college as freshmen was definitely a shock for us.

The New York Times - Sports

Coming to live in Fijian culture is a shock for me as a type A, never-enough-time academic.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as a shock for", consider if alternatives like "as a surprise to" or "as a shock to" might provide better clarity and flow within your sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "as a shock for" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically standard alternatives such as "as a surprise to" or "as a shock to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a shock for" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating that something unexpected or surprising serves as an experience for someone. According to Ludwig AI the phrase is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "as a shock for" is used, it is considered non-standard. Ludwig AI suggests that while the phrase can be used in contexts where you want to express a surprise or unexpected event, it's better to rephrase for clarity, suggesting alternatives like "as a surprise to" or "as a shock to". The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources but is generally considered to have a neutral to informal register. While grammatically acceptable in certain contexts, opting for clearer and more standard alternatives is often preferable, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as quite a shock to

It emphasizes more intensity of feeling to someone.

as a surprise to

Focuses on the element of unexpectedness directed toward someone.

as completely unexpected to

Focuses on the complete lack of anticipation of something for someone.

as a jolt to

Implies a sudden and impactful surprise, often negative.

as an eye-opener to

Highlights the revealing or enlightening nature of the surprise.

as a revelation to

Indicates a significant and previously unknown fact being revealed.

as rather alarming to

Implies a concerning feeling of sudden bad news.

as a rude awakening for

Emphasizes the unpleasant or harsh nature of the discovery.

as profoundly disturbing to

Highlights a deep and unsettling emotional impact on someone.

as a bolt from the blue for

Conveys a completely unexpected and sudden surprise.

FAQs

Is "as a shock for" grammatically correct?

While used, "as a shock for" is not considered standard English. Alternatives like "as a shock to" are generally preferred for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

What can I say instead of "as a shock for"?

You can use alternatives like "as a surprise to", "as a jolt to", or "as a revelation to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "as a shock for" or "as a shock to"?

"As a shock to" is generally considered the more grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase. "As a shock for" is less common and can sound awkward.

When is it appropriate to use "as a shock for"?

While not strictly incorrect, "as a shock for" is best reserved for informal contexts or situations where you're aiming for a less conventional expression. In formal writing, "as a shock to" is more suitable.