it appalled me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it appalled me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing strong shock or disgust about something that has happened or been said. Example: "The news of the scandal was so shocking that it appalled me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It appalled me all over again when I returned to The Franchise Affair a few years ago, as part of my research into the 1940s for my own novel, The Night Watch.

The Guardian - Books

"It appalled me as a human being that we don't admit or bear witness when we see wrong," she told The Huffington Post.

Huffington Post

It appalled me (and still does) that in many countries around the world women and girls are denied many basic rights simply because they were born female.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The excess of it appalls me".

The New Yorker

It appalls me that institutions aren't more stringently audited.

The New York Times

"It appalls me to see a man I consider a triple-murderer put on a pedestal," said Mr. Deal, whose view is controversial, to say the least.

The New York Times

"It appalls me how many people are scared to death that they are going to be thrown out on the street because they have never heard of the homestead exemption," said Nina Parker, a consumer bankruptcy lawyer in Winchester, Mass.

The New York Times

"It appalls me the way the US has treated the Marshallese people out here," says Jack Niedenthal, a native Pennsylvanian who came to the Marshall Islands with the Peace Corps in 1981 and never left.

The Guardian

It appalls me that Bennett Miller and Alexander Payne and Paul Thomas Anderson has to struggle for five or six years to get money for what they want to do — and they aren't asking for that much money!

The New Yorker

If it's diversion, it appalls me.

Huffington Post

It appalls me that the few churches in the area want to go along with it in order to get new money for their air rights.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it appalled me" to express a strong, negative reaction to something you find morally wrong, shocking, or deeply offensive. Ensure the context warrants such a strong expression.

Common error

Avoid using "it appalled me" for minor dislikes or disagreements. This phrase carries a strong emotional weight and should be reserved for truly shocking or morally reprehensible situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appalled me" functions as an expression of strong negative sentiment or disapproval. It indicates that something has caused the speaker to feel shock, disgust, or moral outrage. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it appalled me" is a powerful expression used to convey a deep sense of shock, disgust, or moral offense. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, though it should be reserved for situations where the speaker experiences genuine moral outrage. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While phrases like "it shocked me" or "it horrified me" can be used as alternatives, "it appalled me" carries a unique weight, indicating a strong sense of moral repulsion. Therefore, it's important to use this phrase judiciously to ensure its impact is not diluted. Overall, while grammatically sound, "it appalled me" usage is relatively rare and indicates profound negativity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it disgusted me

Replaces "appalled" with a synonym emphasizing strong aversion.

it horrified me

Substitutes "appalled" with a word suggesting a sense of terror or dread.

it shocked me

Uses "shocked" to indicate a sudden and strong feeling of surprise and disapproval.

it revolted me

Emphasizes a strong feeling of disgust, making it a more visceral reaction.

it sickened me

Indicates a feeling of nausea or moral revulsion.

it dismayed me

Conveys a sense of disappointment and discouragement.

i found it appalling

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the speaker's finding or judgment.

i was appalled by it

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the speaker's reaction.

it filled me with disgust

Uses a more descriptive phrase to express the feeling of revulsion.

it left me aghast

Indicates a feeling of great surprise and shock.

FAQs

What does "it appalled me" mean?

The phrase "it appalled me" expresses a strong feeling of shock, disgust, and moral outrage at something. It indicates a profound negative reaction to an event or piece of information.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it appalled me"?

Use "it appalled me" when you want to convey a deep sense of moral offense or disgust. It's suitable for situations involving injustice, cruelty, or extreme violations of ethical standards.

What can I say instead of "it appalled me"?

You can use alternatives like "it shocked me", "it horrified me", or "it disgusted me" to express similar sentiments with slightly different nuances.

Is "it appalled me" formal or informal?

The phrase "it appalled me" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation. It's generally considered neutral but leans towards formal when used in written text, particularly in news or academic settings.