it seems appalling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems appalling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong negative reaction or disapproval towards a situation or event that appears shocking or disturbing. Example: "After hearing the news about the treatment of the animals, it seems appalling that such practices are still allowed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Even though shareholders nominally own companies, it seems appalling that they can't even elect a board of their choosing.

The New York Times

At first it seems appalling, but after a while it can be appreciated for what it is: real, alive, working.

The New York Times - Travel

JILL RAYMOND Silver Spring, Md., June 5, 2006 I don't like Senator Hillary Clinton's politics, but it seems appalling and outrageous to me that after the editors sat down and considered what "lines of reporting" about her to "develop," the first thing they came up with was her private life.

The New York Times

"There is not enough dialogue between the WRU and the four regions," Brown told the Rugby Paper . "It seems appalling to me that while the WRU appear to be extremely well-off, the regions are bleeding.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

What seems appalling to Leda is that her daughters are so umbilically connected to her own flesh and at the same time are always pushing "elsewhere," are so alien and other.

The New Yorker

To me this seems appalling, but then maybe I have a stunted emotional range.

Vice

Even if change-avoidance forms a prison, walking outside it can seem appalling.

BBC

It may seem appalling that he would make these derogatory remarks after suffering from depression himself.

Huffington Post

It seems an appalling deal, yet astonishingly millions sign up for it.

The Economist

Taken out of context it seems an appalling piece of dialogue.

The Guardian - Books

A century later, the British picked up the phrase and gave it a modern meaning: "the potholes between Edinburgh and Stirling seemed appalling," noted The Westminster Gazette, and The Baltimore Sun in 1940 brought the word back home, railing at "the potholes, ruts, cracks and crevices that make motoring on so many of the city's streets unpleasant if not hazardous".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems appalling" to express a strong negative reaction to something that is shocking, wrong, or unacceptable. Be mindful of the context and audience, as this phrase can be quite strong.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems appalling" in very casual conversations, as it might sound overly dramatic or formal. Opt for less intense expressions like "it's really bad" or "it's not good" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems appalling" functions as an evaluative expression, conveying a strong negative judgment or disapproval. It predicates a subjective assessment of something as deeply shocking, wrong, or unacceptable, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems appalling" is used to express a strong feeling of shock or disapproval. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and media contexts, denoting a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, be mindful of the intensity it conveys and consider alternatives like "it seems horrible" or "it seems outrageous" for different shades of meaning. While generally correct, be cautious about overuse in informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems horrible

Replaces "appalling" with a less formal synonym, "horrible".

it seems awful

Substitutes "appalling" with "awful", another common synonym expressing strong disapproval.

it seems dreadful

Replaces "appalling" with "dreadful", conveying a sense of severe unpleasantness.

it seems outrageous

Uses "outrageous" instead of "appalling" to emphasize the offensive or unacceptable nature of something.

it seems shocking

Replaces "appalling" with "shocking", highlighting the surprising and disturbing nature of something.

it seems unacceptable

Replaces "appalling" with "unacceptable" to indicate disapproval and a lack of agreement or acceptance.

it seems scandalous

Uses "scandalous" instead of "appalling" to suggest that something is causing public outrage or condemnation.

it seems reprehensible

Substitutes "appalling" with "reprehensible", indicating that something is deserving of strong condemnation.

it seems deeply disturbing

Adds emphasis to the disturbing nature of the situation, making it more impactful.

it seems ethically wrong

Replaces "appalling" with a more specific judgment on the ethical implications of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems appalling" in a sentence?

You can use "it seems appalling" to express strong disapproval or shock towards a situation. For example, "It seems appalling that such practices are still allowed."

What are some alternatives to "it seems appalling"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems horrible", "it seems awful", or "it seems outrageous" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it seems appalling" formal or informal?

"It seems appalling" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for news reports, formal discussions, and academic writing. It is less appropriate for very casual conversations.

When is it appropriate to use "it seems appalling"?

It's appropriate to use "it seems appalling" when you want to convey a strong negative judgment about something that feels deeply wrong or shocking. Be mindful of the impact such a strong phrase may have on your audience.