it was shocking

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was shocking" is correct and can be used in written English.
You may use it to describe an event or circumstance that is particularly surprising or disturbing. For example: "We were all stunned when we learned of the accident. It was shocking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"It was shocking.

Stanford University

Of course, it was shocking.

The New York Times - Magazine

Oh, it was shocking.

The Guardian

— but it was shocking all the same.

The New Yorker

With that first series of camps it was shocking.

Cornell University

So that aspect of it was shocking.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It is shocking.

The New York Times

It's shocking.

The Guardian

And it is shocking.

The Guardian - Film

But it is shocking.

The Guardian

He said: "It is shocking.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was shocking" to convey a sense of surprise combined with dismay or disbelief. Ensure the context clarifies the cause and subject of the shock.

Common error

Avoid using "it was shocking" as a standalone statement without providing specific details about what caused the shock. Always provide context to explain the source and nature of the surprise, ensuring clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was shocking" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating a strong sense of surprise and often dismay or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was shocking" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express surprise coupled with dismay or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While commonly found in news and media, its usage spans various contexts, though more formal settings might benefit from nuanced alternatives. The phrase effectively conveys the speaker's emotional response to an unexpected and often disturbing event. Remember to always provide context when using "it was shocking" to ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was astonishing

Replaces "shocking" with "astonishing", suggesting a sense of great surprise and wonder, but potentially less negative connotation.

it was appalling

Substitutes "shocking" with "appalling", indicating a stronger sense of disgust and disapproval.

it was unbelievable

Replaces "shocking" with "unbelievable", focusing on the incredulity of the situation.

it was outrageous

Substitutes "shocking" with "outrageous", highlighting the sense of moral offense.

it was staggering

Replaces "shocking" with "staggering", emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the surprise.

it was horrifying

Substitutes "shocking" with "horrifying", increasing the intensity to suggest something deeply disturbing.

it was deeply disturbing

More formal alternative to "shocking", indicating a profound sense of unease.

it was completely unexpected

Focuses on the surprise element, replacing "shocking" with a description of the lack of anticipation.

it was simply stunning

Suggests the event was both shocking and impressive, leaning towards amazement.

it was a complete surprise

Highlights the unexpected nature of the event, minimizing the negative connotations.

FAQs

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

Use "it was shocking" to describe an event or piece of information that caused surprise and often dismay. For example, "The extent of the damage /s/it+was+shocking". Ensure that the sentence provides context to understand the reason for the shock.

What are some alternatives to "it was shocking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "/s/it+was+astonishing" , "/s/it+was+appalling", or "/s/it+was+unbelievable".

Is "it was shocking" appropriate for formal writing?

While "it was shocking" is acceptable, more formal alternatives like "/s/it+was+deeply+disturbing" or "it was profoundly unsettling" might be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

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

"It was surprising" indicates a general sense of unexpectedness. "It was shocking" implies a stronger emotional reaction, often involving disbelief, dismay, or moral offense. The former is neutral, while the latter is more negative.