it is utterly shocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is utterly shocking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong disbelief or surprise about a situation or event. Example: "After hearing the news about the scandal, I must say, it is utterly shocking to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It is utterly shocking that complex and important decisions are routinely made on hidden scientific data, and it leads to expensive and potentially life-threatening mistakes.

The Guardian

He said: "It is utterly shocking and I hope that the ministers will take note of this and get hold of some of these feckless fathers, drag them off, put them in chains if necessary, make them work and make them pay back society for the cost of bringing up the children they chose to bring into this world".

The Guardian

"It is utterly shocking and I hope that the ministers will take note of this and get hold of some of these feckless fathers, drag them off, make them work, put them in chains if necessary, make them work and make them pay back to society for the cost of bringing up the children they chose to bring into this world".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

My face in the Oscar-night photo said it all: I was utterly shocked to win and it took me about a year to recover.

The Guardian - Film

"But I was utterly shocked at how fun it was once I got started.

The New York Times

One, 40-year-old Tanya Paton, said: "I'm a member of the Church of England and I am utterly shocked by the decision.

The Guardian

I struggled with deciding whether to even report this news, but I decided to simply because I'm utterly shocked by the fact that folks still feel the need to attack the state of a toddler's hair.

Huffington Post

The frequency of rape is utterly shocking.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I have done nothing more than speak to a source, without confirming or denying who that source is, and to criminalize that is utterly shocking.

The New York Times

At the top, waiting for a light to change, Charity looks up and is utterly shocked to see, on the façade of a building kitty-corner from where she stands, the words Mark wrote on his card, tall and cut from metal and brightly lit.

The New Yorker

To have taken it to that degree was utterly shocking.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is utterly shocking" to express strong disbelief or outrage in response to unexpected or unacceptable news or events. Ensure the context clearly warrants such a strong reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "it is utterly shocking" for minor inconveniences or disagreements. The phrase's intensity can diminish its impact if overused, making your communication sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is utterly shocking" functions as an expressive statement, conveying a strong sentiment of disbelief, surprise, or outrage. As shown in Ludwig, it serves to emphasize the speaker's profound reaction to a particular situation or piece of information. It's often used to highlight the unexpected or unacceptable nature of something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase “it is utterly shocking” is a grammatically correct expression used to convey strong disbelief, surprise, or outrage, as affirmed by Ludwig. While its usage is relatively rare, it appears predominantly in news and media contexts. The phrase functions as an expressive statement, intended to highlight the unexpected and often unacceptable nature of an event or situation. The expression is regarded as a neutral register, balancing impactful expression with objective reporting. Related phrases such as "it is absolutely appalling" or "it is completely outrageous" offer alternative ways to express similar sentiments. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context to avoid overstatement and ensure the intensity of the reaction is warranted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's absolutely appalling

Replaces "shocking" with "appalling", suggesting a sense of disgust or moral outrage.

it's completely outrageous

Emphasizes the unacceptability of something using "outrageous".

it's simply unbelievable

Focuses on the incredulity of the situation using "unbelievable".

it is truly scandalous

Highlights the disreputable nature of something using "scandalous".

it's downright disgraceful

Uses "disgraceful" to express strong disapproval and shame.

it's genuinely astonishing

Replaces "shocking" with "astonishing", emphasizing surprise.

it is incredibly disturbing

Focuses on the unsettling nature of something using "disturbing".

it's frankly horrifying

Emphasizes the frightening or terrible aspect of something using "horrifying".

it's deeply disconcerting

Highlights the unsettling effect of something using "disconcerting".

it's really quite alarming

Uses "alarming" to focus on the potential danger or threat.

FAQs

What does "it is utterly shocking" mean?

The phrase "it is utterly shocking" expresses a strong sense of disbelief, surprise, or outrage in response to something unexpected or unacceptable.

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

Use "it is utterly shocking" to convey a strong negative reaction to something. For example, "It is utterly shocking that complex and important decisions are routinely made on hidden scientific data".

What can I say instead of "it is utterly shocking"?

You can use alternatives like "it is absolutely appalling", "it is completely outrageous", or "it is simply unbelievable depending on the context.

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

"It is utterly shocking" conveys a stronger sense of disbelief, outrage, or moral offense compared to "it is very surprising", which simply indicates unexpectedness. The former suggests a negative judgment, while the latter is more neutral.