kind of shocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of shocking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a mild surprise or disbelief about something that has occurred or been revealed. Example: "The news about the sudden resignation of the CEO was kind of shocking to everyone in the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's kind of shocking.

The New York Times

"L.A., that's kind of shocking.

The New York Times

"And kind of shocking".

The Guardian

"It's kind of shocking, really," she said.

The New York Times

"Still, in saying that, it's kind of shocking.

The New York Times

That it can go wrong is kind of shocking".

The New Yorker

About that last question, Mr. Mattsson said, "That was kind of shocking".

The New York Times

"Couple of tremblers -- really trembly people, which is kind of shocking sometimes," he said.

The New York Times

"It's kind of shocking that it took so long," Daniel said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times - Sports

[Laughs] There is something that he does that's kind of shocking.

The New York Times - Arts

Once you get into the details, the lack of knowledge is kind of shocking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of shocking" to express a mild to moderate surprise when something unexpected or surprising occurs. It's suitable for informal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "kind of shocking" in formal writing or professional presentations. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "rather surprising" or "unexpected" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of shocking" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a degree of surprise or disbelief. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Arts

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kind of shocking" is a common and grammatically sound way to express mild to moderate surprise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral or informal contexts, with alternatives like "somewhat surprising" being more appropriate for formal writing. To avoid overuse, vary your expressions with synonyms like "rather startling" or "a bit surprising".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat surprising

Expresses mild surprise, slightly less intense than "kind of shocking".

rather startling

Suggests a sudden and unexpected surprise, emphasizing the abruptness.

a bit surprising

Similar to "somewhat surprising", indicating a mild level of astonishment.

slightly surprising

Indicates a minimal level of surprise, almost a casual acknowledgment.

mildly surprising

Emphasizes the moderate degree of surprise, keeping the tone understated.

quite surprising

Shows a higher degree of surprise compared to "somewhat surprising".

rather unexpected

Highlights that something was not anticipated, focusing on the lack of expectation.

somewhat astonishing

Implies a higher level of surprise and wonder, suggesting something remarkable.

a little disconcerting

Adds a sense of unease to the surprise, suggesting discomfort.

pretty surprising

A more casual and direct way to express a notable level of surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of shocking" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of shocking" to express surprise or disbelief about something. For instance, "It was "kind of shocking" to hear about his sudden resignation".

What can I say instead of "kind of shocking"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat surprising", "rather startling", or "a bit surprising" depending on the context.

Is "kind of shocking" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "kind of shocking" is generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider using alternatives like "unexpected" or "rather surprising".

What's the difference between "kind of shocking" and "extremely shocking"?

"Kind of shocking" expresses a mild to moderate surprise, while "extremely shocking" indicates a much stronger and more intense sense of disbelief or astonishment.