it was appalling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was appalling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong disapproval or shock regarding a situation or event. Example: "The conditions in the shelter were so poor that it was appalling to see how the residents were treated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Jamilah Lemieux, senior editor at Ebony, lamented that "it was appalling to see this sister gleefully acting like she was auditioning for Birth of a Nation 2".

The Guardian - Opinion

They've a right to be appalled, and even by the low standards set by news media coverage of the presidential election, it was appalling.

Huffington Post

It was appalling.

The New York Times

It was appalling and obvious.

The New Yorker

Much of it was appalling.

The New York Times

"It was appalling," Ms. Hawley said.

The New York Times - Arts

Oh yeeeeaaah!' It was appalling".

The Guardian - Music

"I think it was appalling behaviour.

The Guardian - Sport

It was appalling that it should have happened, absolutely terrible".

The Guardian

His performance was worse than embarrassing: it was appalling.

The New York Times

"I thought it was appalling behaviour by the manager," the Australia cricket team doctor said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance your writing, consider replacing "appalling" with more descriptive synonyms depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, use "shocking" to emphasize surprise, "outrageous" to focus on indignation, or "disgraceful" to highlight shame.

Common error

Avoid using "it was appalling" to describe situations that are merely inconvenient or slightly unpleasant. This phrase is reserved for scenarios that evoke strong moral outrage, not minor annoyances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was appalling" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a strong negative judgment or condemnation of a situation, action, or behavior. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is typically used when something is considered deeply offensive or morally wrong.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was appalling" is a phrase used to express strong disapproval or shock, most commonly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage. While a versatile expression, it's best reserved for situations evoking significant moral outrage, with synonyms like "it was shocking" or "it was disgraceful" available for nuanced expression. Avoid overusing it in mildly negative contexts to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was outrageous

Replaces "appalling" with "outrageous", focusing on the indignation caused by the situation.

it was shocking

Substitutes "appalling" with "shocking", emphasizing the surprise and dismay caused by the event.

it was dreadful

Replaces "appalling" with "dreadful", highlighting the unpleasant and fearful nature of the situation.

it was unacceptable

Changes "appalling" to "unacceptable", focusing on the violation of standards or norms.

it was inexcusable

Replaces "appalling" with "inexcusable", emphasizing the lack of justification for the action or situation.

it was reprehensible

Substitutes "appalling" with "reprehensible", highlighting the moral condemnation of the action.

it was disgraceful

Changes "appalling" to "disgraceful", focusing on the shame and dishonor associated with the situation.

it was beyond belief

Replaces "appalling" with "beyond belief", emphasizing the incredulity and astonishment caused by the event.

it was simply awful

Substitutes "appalling" with "simply awful", offering a more general expression of negativity.

it was deeply disturbing

Changes "appalling" to "deeply disturbing", highlighting the unsettling and concerning nature of the situation.

FAQs

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

Use "it was appalling" to express strong disapproval or shock. For example, "It was appalling to see the level of neglect the animals suffered."

What are some synonyms for "it was appalling"?

Alternatives include "it was shocking", "it was disgraceful", or "it was outrageous", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it was appalling"?

It's appropriate when you want to express a strong negative reaction to something deeply offensive, unacceptable, or morally wrong. Reserve it for situations that genuinely evoke outrage.

Is "it was appalling" a formal or informal expression?

While understandable in most contexts, "it was appalling" can be considered somewhat strong. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "it was disappointing" or "it was unacceptable" in formal settings depending on the degree of disapproval you want to express.