profound shock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profound shock" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep and intense feeling of surprise or distress in response to an event or situation. Example: "The news of the sudden disaster left the entire community in profound shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first feeling was profound shock.

The Guardian - Books

"Much of what they said came as a profound shock to me," she recalls.

The Guardian

The discovery and publication of the Tripoli documents came as a profound shock to MI6.

The Guardian

After so many years of plenty, the global recession has come as a profound shock.

The Guardian - Business

All signatories expressed their "profound shock" at the BBC's decision to shut the national station.

The Guardian

It's hard to overstate what a profound shock the Motorola deal was to Google's Android licensees.

The Guardian - Tech

For several months I was in a state of profound shock and trauma.

The Guardian

Four months after Hari apologised, Chris Blackhurst said the affair had caused "profound" shock among his colleagues.

The Guardian

Britain's national newspapers registered their profound shock at Donald Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton with pages and pages of coverage.

The Guardian

He should consider the profound shock to the body and the mind that occurs from a sexual assault.

The Guardian - Opinion

But for a small Western force to invade one of the heartlands of Islam was a profound shock.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "profound shock", ensure the context aligns with the intensity of the phrase. It's best suited for situations causing deep emotional or psychological impact, rather than minor surprises.

Common error

Avoid using "profound shock" to describe situations that only warrant mild surprise or disappointment. Overusing the phrase diminishes its impact when describing truly significant events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound shock" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "profound" modifies the noun "shock". It describes the intensity or depth of the feeling of shock. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profound shock" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a deep and intense feeling of surprise or distress. As Ludwig AI confirmed, it is widely applicable and usable in written English. Primarily found in News & Media and Science contexts, it's important to use this phrase when you want to convey the intensity and gravity of an emotional reaction to a significant event. Remember to avoid overusing it in minor situations, and consider using alternatives like "deep shock" or "intense shock" for slightly less impactful scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep shock

Replaces "profound" with "deep", maintaining a similar level of intensity but with a slightly simpler tone.

intense shock

Substitutes "profound" with "intense", highlighting the strong emotional impact of the shock.

overwhelming shock

Highlights the overpowering nature of the feeling of shock.

severe shock

Emphasizes the gravity and seriousness of the shock experienced.

significant shock

Indicates a substantial level of surprise or distress, without necessarily implying a negative impact.

great surprise

Shifts the focus from the negative impact to the unexpected nature of the event, using a more general term.

extreme astonishment

Replaces "shock" with "astonishment", conveying a sense of wonder and disbelief.

utter disbelief

Highlights the inability to accept or believe what has happened.

complete surprise

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the event, indicating that it was entirely unanticipated.

astounding surprise

Combines the elements of surprise and astonishment, suggesting a high degree of amazement.

FAQs

How can I use "profound shock" in a sentence?

You can use "profound shock" to describe a deep and intense feeling of surprise or distress in response to an event or situation. For example: "The news of the sudden disaster left the entire community in "profound shock".

What are some alternatives to "profound shock"?

You can use alternatives like "deep shock", "intense shock", or "great surprise" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "profound shock" in formal writing?

Yes, "profound shock" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing significant and impactful events. However, ensure that the context justifies the intensity of the phrase.

What is the difference between "profound shock" and "mild surprise"?

"Profound shock" describes a deep and intense emotional reaction to a significant event, whereas "mild surprise" indicates a slight feeling of unexpectedness. They are not interchangeable.