ghastly act

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ghastly act" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is horrifying or shocking, often in a negative context. Example: "The community was left in shock after the ghastly act that took place last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

President Musharraf called the attack a "ghastly act of terrorism".

The New York Times

As a Kashmiri American, I am convinced, as are others, that Kashmiris are not responsible for this ghastly act.

The New York Times - Magazine

In recent months, the government has sought to blame him for the self-immolations of about two dozen Tibetans, a ghastly act of protest against Chinese rule that he has condemned.

The New York Times

Beforehand, several hundred people gathered opposite Lincoln Center Plaza to register their unhappiness with the work, which dramatizes a ghastly act: the hijacking, by members of the Palestine Liberation Front, in 1985, of the cruise ship Achille Lauro, and the subsequent murder of Leon Klinghoffer, a wheelchair-bound American Jewish retiree.

The New Yorker

Here he is, in Saudi Arabia, telling the whole Arab and Muslim world, in Arabic, on live TV, that it does not matter that these three innocent boys are settlers, and that their kidnapping is a ghastly act for which the Palestinians themselves will hold the perpetrators accountable.

The Guardian - Opinion

But this notion of innocence, the insistence on it, has also penalized the country, kept it locked into a vision of itself and its place in the world that brings harm, that keeps the populace from seeing things -- even this ghastly act -- in their true colorations and complexities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

David Cameron has condemned a new Islamic State propaganda video as "desperate stuff" from an organisation that is guilty of perpetrating "utterly despicable and ghastly acts".

The Guardian

"Thinking back to then, what I wanted to say I would still want to say, which is that ghastly acts of terrorism are not unconnected to Western foreign policy," in Britain as well as the United States, she said.

The New York Times

Speaking during a visit to east London on Monday, Cameron said: "It's desperate stuff from an organisation that really does do the most utterly despicable and ghastly acts and people can see that again today.

The Guardian

Commenting on the video for the first time since it was released on Sunday, the Prime Minister said: "It's desperate stuff from an organisation that really does do the most utterly despicable and ghastly acts and people can see that again today.

Independent

Apparently, social media platforms are seductive tools for individuals to communicate their suffering and suicidal intentions, or even to broadcast the ghastly acts themselves.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event as a "ghastly act", ensure the context clearly conveys the severe and shocking nature of the action. Use this phrase when you want to evoke a strong sense of horror or disgust in your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "ghastly act" to describe minor inconveniences or slightly unpleasant events. This phrase is best reserved for actions that are genuinely horrifying or deeply disturbing, as overuse can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ghastly act" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "ghastly" serves as an adjective modifying the noun "act". This construction describes an action characterized by its horrific and shocking nature. Ludwig's examples show its typical usage in condemning events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ghastly act" is a noun phrase used to express strong condemnation of a shockingly horrific action. It is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's proper usage. When aiming to express horror or disgust, consider alternatives like "horrific deed" or "atrocious action". However, reserve "ghastly act" for truly terrible events to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

horrific deed

Replaces "ghastly" with "horrific" and "act" with "deed", maintaining a similar level of intensity but with slightly different connotations.

horrendous act

Replaces "ghastly" with "horrendous", emphasizing the shocking and appalling nature of the action.

atrocious action

Substitutes "ghastly" for "atrocious" and "act" for "action", providing a formal alternative with the same level of condemnation.

heinous deed

Replaces "ghastly" with "heinous", stressing the wickedness and depravity of the action.

abominable act

Uses "abominable" in place of "ghastly", focusing on the detestable and loathsome quality of the action.

dreadful deed

Uses "dreadful" instead of "ghastly", softening the tone slightly while still indicating a terrible action.

terrible atrocity

Replaces "act" with "atrocity", highlighting the extreme cruelty and violence involved.

unspeakable crime

Shifts from describing the action itself to labeling it as a "crime", highlighting its moral reprehensibility.

revolting deed

Emphasizes the disgusting and offensive nature of the action by using "revolting".

shocking offense

Shifts the focus to the emotional impact of the action by using "shocking" and framing it as an "offense".

FAQs

How can I use "ghastly act" in a sentence?

Use "ghastly act" to describe something shocking or horrible. For example, "The bombing was a "ghastly act" of terrorism."

What can I say instead of "ghastly act"?

You can use alternatives like "horrific deed", "atrocious action", or "dreadful deed" depending on the context.

Is "ghastly act" formal or informal?

"Ghastly act" is generally considered neutral in formality. It is suitable for news reports, formal statements, and other contexts where a strong but not overly emotional tone is appropriate.

What makes an act "ghastly"?

An act is considered "ghastly" when it is shockingly repulsive, horrifying, or deeply disturbing. It typically involves extreme cruelty, violence, or a violation of moral standards.