it would be more shocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be more shocking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation or event that would elicit surprise or disbelief if it were to occur. Example: "If the company decided to cut salaries instead of giving raises, it would be more shocking than any of us could have imagined."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It would be more shocking if they did.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact, it would be more shocking if he did not contend.

The New York Times - Sports

She says: "I think it would be more shocking to have an identity that is completely anonymous, then all of a sudden have people recognise you and feel a sense of pressure that I never experienced because this is all I can remember".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Who should be the next captain has been on my mind for a while - we'd been working on a new leadership group over the past year to make sure that when the day did come, it would be more of a natural progression than a shock to the system," he added.

BBC

It would be more respectable.

The New York Times - Sports

The truth of the matter is, given the political makeup of the state - and the obstacles Ms. Whitman and Ms. Fiorina have in winning here - it would been more of a shock if the two took the stage with Ms. Palin and Mr. Steele, who himself is something if an embattled figure in his own party.

The New York Times

And when you have considered this, consider the following question: if you were that medieval visitor, would you be more shocked by the fat children?

Independent

Or would you be more shocked by the society that only identified them as such if they were also working class?

Independent

I would have been more shocked had I'd still been there [when the Rocky was closed]." "Writing the book, and even now, I still have wild dreams about my working at the Rocky," he said.

Huffington Post

"I would be more than shocked if they were involved".

The New York Times

The sight of Grainger on the top step of the podium in Sunday's BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards would be more seismic shock than mere surprise, but the outsider makes all the right noises about just making the shortlist.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, consider the audience and context. It can be used in both formal and informal settings, but ensure the level of surprise conveyed is appropriate for the situation.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "it would be more shocking", as it can lose its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "surprising", "astonishing", or "unexpected" to keep your writing engaging and precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be more shocking" functions as a hypothetical statement expressing a higher degree of surprise or disbelief in comparison to an alternative scenario. It relies on the conditional "would" to convey this hypothetical nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it would be more shocking" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey surprise or disbelief, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider synonymous alternatives to maintain engagement and clarity. This phrase serves to emphasize how much more surprising one thing is over another.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would be even more surprising

Replaces "shocking" with "surprising", emphasizing the unexpected nature of the event.

it would be utterly astonishing

Substitutes "shocking" with "astonishing", conveying a stronger sense of amazement.

it would be quite unexpected

Replaces "shocking" with "unexpected", focusing on the lack of anticipation.

it would be highly improbable

Shifts the focus to the low likelihood of the event occurring.

it would defy belief

Implies that the event would be so surprising as to be hard to accept.

it would be beyond comprehension

Suggests the event would be so unusual as to be difficult to understand.

it would be nothing short of a miracle

Emphasizes the extremely unlikely and fortunate nature of the event.

it would raise eyebrows

Focuses on the social reaction to the surprising event.

it would turn heads

Highlights the attention-grabbing aspect of the event.

it would be a bolt from the blue

Uses a metaphor to describe the sudden and unexpected nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "it would be more shocking" in a sentence?

You can use "it would be more shocking" to describe an event or situation that would cause significant surprise or disbelief. For example, "If the company decided to cut salaries instead of giving raises, "it would be more shocking" than any of us could have imagined".

What can I say instead of "it would be more shocking"?

You can use alternatives like "it would be more surprising", "it would be more startling", or "it would be quite unexpected" depending on the context.

Is "it would be more shocking" formal or informal?

"It would be more shocking" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the audience and the level of surprise you want to convey. Consider the specific situation to determine if a more or less emphatic phrase is appropriate.

What's the difference between "it would be more shocking" and "it would be more surprising"?

While both phrases express a sense of unexpectedness, "it would be more shocking" implies a greater degree of surprise or disbelief than "it would be more surprising". "Shocking" suggests a more significant deviation from expectations.