it is absolutely shocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "It is absolutely shocking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is particularly unexpected and or unpleasant. Example: It is absolutely shocking that the government is cutting funding for public education.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It is absolutely shocking.

Independent

John Fauvel, senior lecturer in the history of mathematics at the Open University, said: "I think it is absolutely shocking.

The Guardian

"I think it is absolutely shocking that we as a country have passed the legislation and nothing is happening.

The Guardian

It is absolutely shocking that the information is out there and yet most pregnant women are not being told about it at all".

The Guardian

"It is absolutely shocking that someone at this point in our system doesn't understand that they have to report these things to the police," Ms. Segarra said.

The New York Times

"It is absolutely shocking and mind-boggling that this facility would say the doses are acceptable," said Dr. Rebecca Smith-Bindman, a radiology professor who has testified before Congress about the need for more controls over CT scans.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"The apathy within the game in Wales to do anything about it is shocking, it's absolutely shocking.

BBC

It's absolutely shocking.

BBC

"It's absolutely shocking there's so much slack in the system but I'm absolutely determined that we minimise the amount of the cuts to the services themselves.

BBC

"While Rory was doing miraculous things at the US Open, I was absolutely shocking.

BBC

It was absolutely shocking". She stormed into colleague Paul Pfleiderer's office.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is absolutely shocking" to express strong feelings of surprise, disbelief, or outrage in response to unexpected or unacceptable news or situations. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to emphasize the intensity of your reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "it is absolutely shocking" in contexts that require a neutral or objective tone. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing appear melodramatic. Consider using more measured language in professional or formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is absolutely shocking" functions as an expressive statement. It conveys a strong emotional reaction, typically surprise, outrage, or disbelief, to a particular event or piece of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is absolutely shocking" serves as a potent expression of surprise, disbelief, or outrage, primarily utilized in News & Media and Academia contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for expressing a strong, often negative, reaction. While frequently appearing in news reports and general conversation, it's less suited for formal or scientific writing where objectivity is key. Alternatives like ""it is deeply concerning"" can offer a more measured tone in such settings. Be aware of overuse to avoid diminishing the phrase's impact. Top authoritative sources that feature the phrase include The Guardian, BBC, and The New York Times, underlining its prevalence in reputable media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is utterly appalling

This alternative uses a stronger adjective, 'appalling', to intensify the feeling of shock and disapproval.

it is completely unacceptable

This phrase focuses on the lack of acceptability of a situation, rather than the surprise it evokes.

it is truly outrageous

This alternative emphasizes the sense of being beyond the bounds of what is right or reasonable.

it is deeply disturbing

This option highlights the unsettling and worrying nature of the situation.

it is simply unbelievable

This phrase centers on the difficulty in believing something to be true.

it is downright disgraceful

This choice expresses strong disapproval and condemnation of the situation.

it is nothing short of scandalous

This alternative suggests the situation is shocking and likely to cause public outrage.

it is frankly unbelievable

Similar to 'simply unbelievable', but with the addition of 'frankly' to emphasize the speaker's honesty.

i find it appalling

This alternative shifts the focus to the speaker's personal reaction, expressing a strong feeling of disgust or disapproval.

i'm appalled by it

Similar to 'I find it appalling', but uses 'appalled' as an adjective, indicating a state of being shocked.

FAQs

What does "it is absolutely shocking" mean?

The phrase "it is absolutely shocking" expresses a strong feeling of surprise, disbelief, or outrage towards something unexpected or unacceptable.

How can I use "it is absolutely shocking" in a sentence?

You can use the phrase to react to surprising or disturbing news, for example: "It is absolutely shocking that the company is laying off so many employees."

What are some alternatives to "it is absolutely shocking"?

Alternatives include expressing less surprise using phrases like "it is deeply concerning" or "it is very disturbing". Consider also more emphatic alternatives such as "it is utterly appalling" or "it is completely unacceptable".

Is "it is absolutely shocking" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered appropriate for neutral to slightly informal contexts. While widely understood, it might be too emotive for highly formal or professional communications, where alternatives like "it is deeply concerning" might be preferable.