it's shocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it's shocking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express surprise or disbelief about a situation or event that is unexpected or disturbing. Example: "After hearing the news about the scandal, I must say, it's shocking how easily trust can be broken."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kainer said: "It's shocking.

The New York Times - Sports

I know, it's shocking.

The Guardian

And some people don't know? A. It's shocking.

The New York Times

Eric Schmidt: It's shocking.

TechCrunch

It's unreal, it's shocking.

Huffington Post

No, it's shocking.

Huffington Post

To me it's shocking.

Huffington Post

I just think it's shocking.

Huffington Post

"For the West it's shocking.

Vice

It's shocking".

The New York Times

"It's shocking," he says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's shocking" to express strong surprise or disapproval when encountering unexpected or disturbing information. Ensure the context clearly indicates what you find shocking to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing "it's shocking" in everyday conversations, as it can diminish the impact of the phrase. Reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant a strong expression of surprise or disbelief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's shocking" functions as an exclamatory expression. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to convey a strong feeling of surprise, disbelief, or outrage in response to something unexpected or disturbing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's shocking" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a strong sense of surprise, disbelief, or outrage. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the subject of your shock to maintain clarity. While versatile, avoid overuse in casual settings to preserve its impact. By understanding its nuances and appropriate usage, you can effectively convey your strong emotional reactions while maintaining clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's unbelievable

Emphasizes the difficulty in believing something due to its surprising or improbable nature.

it's astounding

Highlights the overwhelming surprise and amazement caused by something remarkable.

it's incredible

Focuses on the extraordinary and almost fantastical nature of the situation.

it's appalling

Emphasizes the offensive and morally reprehensible nature of the situation.

it's outrageous

Stresses the unacceptability and affront to standards of decency.

it's disconcerting

Highlights the disturbing and unsettling feeling caused by the situation.

it's unimaginable

Focuses on the difficulty of conceiving or envisioning the situation.

it's mind-blowing

Emphasizes the overwhelming and transformative impact of the situation on one's understanding.

it's simply unheard of

Highlights the unprecedented and unconventional nature of the situation.

it defies belief

Focuses on how the situation is too extreme or improbable to be believed.

FAQs

How can I use "it's shocking" in a sentence?

Use "it's shocking" to express strong surprise or disbelief about something unexpected or disturbing. For example, "After hearing the news about the company's financial mismanagement, "it's shocking" how easily trust can be broken."

What are some alternatives to "it's shocking"?

You can use alternatives like "it's unbelievable", "it's astounding", or "it's outrageous" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "it's shocking" in writing?

"It's shocking" is appropriate when you want to convey a strong sense of surprise, disbelief, or disapproval. Ensure that the context makes it clear what you find shocking. Avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

What is the difference between "it's shocking" and "it's surprising"?

"It's shocking" implies a stronger degree of surprise, disbelief, or outrage than "it's surprising". "It's surprising" simply indicates something unexpected, while "it's shocking" suggests something deeply disturbing or appalling.