it seems shocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems shocking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing surprise or disbelief about a situation or statement that appears unexpected or alarming. Example: "After hearing the news about the sudden layoffs, it seems shocking that the company had not communicated any signs of financial trouble."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"The coroners' service has been running for over 900 years, and it seems shocking there is still no one in charge," said Alison Cox, chief executive of Cardiac Risk in the Young, a charity campaigning for the post to be reintroduced.

The Guardian

Given its track record of fighting for the financial rights of retirees, it seems shocking that the organization would turn around and take from its own 2,200 or so employees what they'd hoped would be a big pile of matching money.

The New York Times

Some are so elderly that it seems shocking to see a younger person making use of their services.

The Economist

It seems shocking, even to the analyst, that such trust could exist in this day and age.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even so it seems shocking that the video of the police officer using the deadly chokehold was not enough to warrant an indictment.

The Economist

Insects are regularly eaten by as much as 80% of the worlds population, but even the very thought of it seems shocking to most people in the UK.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But in the context of cabaret-theater these many decades later, it seemed shocking.

Forbes

"Those who didn't make it seemed shocked and bewildered as to why they didn't get accepted.

Los Angeles Times

This seems shocking.

Independent

Today this all seems shocking.

The New York Times

Suggesting President George W. Bush was a supporter of Iran seems shocking.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse; replace it with alternatives like "it's astonishing" or "it's unbelievable" to add variety to your writing.

Common error

Be mindful of the level of surprise or disbelief you want to convey. "It seems shocking" implies a strong reaction. If the situation warrants a milder response, consider using phrases like "it seems surprising" or "it seems unexpected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems shocking" functions as an expressive statement, conveying surprise, disbelief, or moral outrage. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common expression used to highlight something unexpected or unacceptable. For example, "It seems shocking that no one has been able to figure anything out in the last 10 years."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems shocking" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey surprise, disbelief, or moral outrage. As Ludwig AI confirms, its presence across diverse sources, particularly in news and media, indicates its broad acceptability and frequent use. While versatile, it's important to consider the intensity of the phrase and opt for more nuanced alternatives when a milder reaction is appropriate. The examples provided by Ludwig underscore its relevance in various contexts, from news reporting to personal expressions of incredulity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears astonishing

Replaces "seems shocking" with a more formal and slightly stronger term, "astonishing".

it's quite unbelievable

Shifts from focusing on shock to disbelief, using "unbelievable" to convey incredulity.

it is truly startling

Emphasizes the sudden and surprising nature of the situation.

it feels appalling

Highlights the negative emotional impact and moral repugnance.

it strikes me as outrageous

Indicates a strong sense of indignation and injustice.

it comes as a complete surprise

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the event or information.

it defies belief

Expresses extreme skepticism and difficulty in accepting something as true.

it's utterly stunning

Highlights the overwhelming and often bewildering nature of the situation.

it leaves me speechless

Emphasizes the inability to respond due to the overwhelming impact of the situation.

it seems incredible

Focuses on the difficulty of believing something due to its extraordinary nature.

FAQs

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

Use "it seems shocking" to express surprise or disbelief about something. For example, "It seems shocking that the company had no prior warning before the sudden layoff."

What can I say instead of "it seems shocking"?

You can use alternatives like "it appears astonishing", "it is truly startling", or "it feels appalling" depending on the context.

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

Use "it seems shocking" when you want to express a strong sense of surprise, disbelief, or moral outrage. Ensure that the situation or statement genuinely warrants such a strong reaction.

What's the difference between "it seems shocking" and "it seems surprising"?

"It seems shocking" implies a stronger negative emotional response compared to "it seems surprising". "Shocking" suggests a higher degree of disbelief, outrage, or moral offense.