it is shocking that

USAGE SUMMARY

"It is shocking that..." is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a statement that expresses something surprising or unexpected. For example: "It is shocking that so many people still go without access to clean water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Another neighbour said: "It is shocking, that is totally unnecessary.

The Guardian - Business

"It is shocking that this conviction is the first of its kind.

The Guardian

It is shocking that they are still around.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is shocking that it is not even in the discourse," Dr. Finkelstein said.

The New York Times - Health

It is shocking that my pictures are obscene, while advertising is not," she added.

Independent

"It is shocking that this has happened this fast — in one generation," he added.

The New York Times

"It is shocking that three southern African nations will not acknowledge this".

The Guardian

It is shocking that she was lured into taking on a secured loan as well.

The Guardian - Money

It is shocking that such a crucially important process has gone so seriously wrong.

The Guardian

"It is shocking that this happened in a public place and yet no one intervened.

The Guardian - Arts

It is shocking that figures show nearly a quarter of big employers use them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is shocking that" to introduce statements that present unexpected or alarming information, prompting the reader to consider the gravity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "it is shocking that". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony. Use alternative phrases like "to my surprise" or "it is astonishing that" to express similar sentiments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is shocking that" serves as an introductory clause expressing surprise, disbelief, or dismay regarding a subsequent statement. It functions to highlight the unexpected or appalling nature of a particular situation. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is shocking that" is a versatile and widely used expression to introduce surprising or disturbing information. Grammatically sound, it effectively conveys a speaker's disbelief or dismay and prompts readers to acknowledge the gravity of a situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources but is also suitable for formal and professional contexts. While powerful, overuse should be avoided to maintain impact. Consider alternatives like "it is outrageous that" or "it is astonishing that" to vary your writing and prevent redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is appalling that

Replaces "shocking" with "appalling", emphasizing the horrible or dreadful nature of something.

it is outrageous that

Replaces "shocking" with "outrageous", implying a stronger sense of anger and injustice.

it is scandalous that

Substitutes "shocking" with "scandalous", suggesting that something is morally offensive or improper.

it is unbelievable that

Uses "unbelievable" instead of "shocking", emphasizing that something is hard to accept or believe.

it is disturbing that

Replaces "shocking" with "disturbing", highlighting the unsettling nature of something.

it is incredible that

Replaces "shocking" with "incredible", expressing that something is hard to believe but may be impressive.

it is astonishing that

Uses "astonishing" instead of "shocking", indicating a high degree of surprise or amazement.

it is surprising that

A more neutral alternative, replacing "shocking" with "surprising", implying something unexpected.

it is remarkable that

Substitutes "shocking" with "remarkable", stressing how unusual or noteworthy something is.

it is disappointing that

Uses "disappointing" instead of "shocking", expressing a feeling of sadness that someone or something has failed to fulfill expectations or hopes.

FAQs

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

"It is shocking that" is used to introduce a fact or situation that causes surprise, disbelief, or outrage. For example, "It is shocking that the rate of homelessness is increasing."

What phrases are similar to "it is shocking that"?

Alternatives include "it is outrageous that", "it is disturbing that", or "it is astonishing that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is shocking that" formal or informal?

"It is shocking that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from stronger or more precise wording depending on the intent.

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

"It is shocking that" refers to a current feeling of shock or surprise, while "it was shocking that" refers to a past event that caused shock. For example, "It is shocking that this problem still exists" versus "It was shocking that the company went bankrupt."