be appalled at the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be appalled at the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing strong disapproval or shock regarding a particular situation or action. Example: "Many people were appalled at the lack of response to the humanitarian crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Meanwhile, Thucydides might be appalled at the nationalistic talk that resounds in both countries.

The New York Times

"A normal person would be appalled at the disrespect, let alone the pain," of the animals.

The New York Times - Science

Even Hollywood professes to be appalled at the cads depicted in "The First Wives Club".

The New York Times

Obama, the cerebral product of Columbia and Harvard, may be appalled at the illogicality of the existing system.

Independent

Any basketball purist would be appalled at the 10percentt shooting from 3-point range in the East.

The New York Times - Sports

You might be appalled at the notion of paying Microsoft an annual fee forever to get something you used to own outright.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Sign up for Thatbeingof VICE, delivered to your inbox daily.

Vice

She was appalled at the suggestion.

The New York Times

I am appalled at the Newsquest manoeuvre.

The Guardian

I remember being appalled at the media.

The Guardian - Music

Brown is appalled at the idea.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the intensity of your emotion. If you want to express a stronger sentiment, use alternatives such as "be horrified by the".

Common error

Avoid using "be appalled at the" in situations where the level of shock or disapproval is minor. Overusing strong language can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for genuinely egregious circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be appalled at the" functions as a verb phrase expressing a strong negative reaction of shock, disgust, or disapproval. Ludwig's examples confirm that it's commonly used to convey a sense of moral outrage or deep dissatisfaction with a particular situation or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Science

0.5%

Wiki

0.3%

Encyclopedias

0.2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be appalled at the" is a versatile phrase used to express a strong negative reaction, most often shock, disgust, or disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, use this phrase to convey moral outrage or deep dissatisfaction, but consider less intense alternatives for minor situations. Several related phrases exist, like "be horrified by the" or "be outraged by the", which can be used to adjust the intensity of the emotion expressed. Always make a judicious choice based on the specific context and target audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be horrified by the

Uses "horrified" instead of "appalled", suggesting a slightly stronger emotional reaction.

be disgusted by the

Replaces "appalled" with "disgusted", emphasizing a feeling of revulsion.

find the idea abhorrent

Expresses strong dislike or repugnance towards the idea, using a more formal tone.

be shocked by the

Uses "shocked" as a more general term for surprise and disapproval, rather than the stronger "appalled".

be outraged by the

Emphasizes anger and indignation in response to something, rather than just shock or disapproval.

be repulsed by the

Focuses on the feeling of extreme aversion or disgust.

be sickened by the

Highlights the feeling of nausea or physical discomfort caused by something.

be taken aback by the

Suggests a sudden surprise and slight shock, but less intense than being appalled.

consider it an outrage

Frames the subject as a blatant violation of standards of morality or decency.

deplore the

A more formal and restrained way to express strong disapproval.

FAQs

How can I use "be appalled at the" in a sentence?

The phrase "be appalled at the" is used to express strong disapproval or shock about something. For example: "Many were appalled at the decision to cut funding for the arts."

What phrases are similar to "be appalled at the"?

Similar phrases include "be horrified by the", "be disgusted by the", or "be outraged by the". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "be appalled by the" grammatically correct, or should I use "be appalled at the"?

"Be appalled at the" is the more common and idiomatic expression. While "be appalled by the" isn't incorrect, it's less frequently used. The choice depends on the specific context and intended emphasis, but generally, sticking with "at" is safer.

What level of formality does "be appalled at the" convey?

The phrase "be appalled at the" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it generally indicates a strong emotional response, so use it judiciously. For more formal situations, consider alternatives that convey disapproval in a less emotionally charged way.