how appalling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how appalling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express shock or disapproval regarding a situation or behavior that is considered very bad or unacceptable. Example: "When I heard about the unfair treatment of the employees, I couldn't help but exclaim, how appalling!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"I join everyone by saying how appalling this is and how appalled as a parent you can be when you read these things," Adams said to reporters, referring to the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case that has consumed USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic Committee.

Huffington Post

How appalling, Grendel's dinner.

The New Yorker

Think how appalling it would be if they teased the oldest person for being old.

The New York Times

How appalling to lose one's mind, as my mother-in-law did!

The New Yorker

This policy is doing precisely what it was set up to do. 2. How appalling.

The Guardian

The League has survived legal challenges to this rule but understands how appalling it looks.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The events of Winterbourne View have led myself and my peers in the sector to reflect on why and how such appalling conduct could happen.

The Guardian

Obviously, the world has changed and the way (most) Americans think and speak of foreign cultures has as well: part of the allure of the museum is just how simultaneously appalling and heroic the couple comes across — and what it reveals about American world views during a very specific window of time.

The New York Times - Travel

"It's appalling how this has dragged on and how so many millions of dollars have been spent in finally getting to this point," Thomas P. Loughlin, the previous owner, wrote in an e-mail.

The New York Times

It is appalling how many times these parents were the focus of inquiry about abuse and how many times responsible adults walked away from these poor children.

The New York Times

I find it appalling how electronically dependent Americans have become.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how appalling" to express strong disapproval or shock, especially when reacting to news, events, or behaviors that significantly violate moral or ethical standards.

Common error

Avoid using "how appalling" too frequently in casual conversations. While grammatically correct, its intensity can sound overly dramatic or insincere in everyday situations. Opt for milder expressions like "how bad" or "how unfortunate" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how appalling" functions as an exclamatory expression used to convey a strong negative reaction, typically of shock, disgust, or disapproval. It emphasizes the speaker's negative assessment of a situation or action. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase indicates a strong negative feeling.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how appalling" serves as a powerful exclamatory expression to denote shock, disapproval, or disgust. Grammatically correct and commonly used, it finds its primary context in News & Media. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its appropriateness for expressing strong negative sentiments, and the expert rating underscores its reliable usage across various sources. While versatile, writers should exercise caution to avoid overuse in informal contexts, ensuring the tone aligns with the intended register. Semantically related alternatives include "how dreadful", "how awful", and "how shocking", offering nuances in expressing similar feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how dreadful

Replaces "appalling" with a synonym that conveys a similar sense of severity and unpleasantness.

how awful

Substitutes "appalling" with a more general term for something very bad or unpleasant.

how terrible

Employs another common synonym of "appalling" that indicates a severe negative quality.

how shocking

Focuses on the surprise and dismay caused by something unexpected and unacceptable.

how horrifying

Highlights the extreme degree of fear or disgust caused by something.

how disgraceful

Emphasizes the shamefulness and unacceptability of a particular action or situation.

how outrageous

Indicates that something is extremely unacceptable or offensive, often due to a violation of moral standards.

how reprehensible

Uses a more formal term to describe something highly blameworthy and deserving of condemnation.

to what extent is it appalling

Emphasizes the degree or magnitude of how appalling something is.

the degree to which it is appalling

This alternative is a more formal and verbose way of expressing the extent of something being appalling.

FAQs

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

Use "how appalling" to express strong disapproval or shock regarding something considered very bad. For example, "I can't believe they did that, "how appalling"!"

What are some alternatives to "how appalling"?

You can use alternatives like "how dreadful", "how awful", or "how shocking" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "how appalling" in formal writing?

Yes, "how appalling" is suitable for formal writing when you need to express strong disapproval or shock. However, ensure that the tone aligns with the overall formality of the piece. Consider alternatives like "how reprehensible" for an even more formal tone.

When should I avoid using "how appalling"?

Avoid using "how appalling" in casual conversations or informal settings where it may sound overly dramatic. Opt for milder expressions like "how bad" or "how unfortunate" instead.