really shocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really shocking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the intensity of something that is surprising or disturbing. Example: "The news of the sudden resignation was really shocking to everyone in the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But it's really shocking.

The New York Times

"This is really shocking.

The Guardian - Books

To me, that's really shocking.

The New York Times

It was just really shocking.

The Guardian - Sport

And that is what is really shocking.

The Guardian - Film

The transformation is ingenious and ridiculous; appalling, though not really shocking.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"That really shocked me".

The New York Times

"Everyone was really shocked".

The New York Times

They were really, really shocked".

The Guardian - Sport

Am really shocked by that".

The Guardian - Sport

"My mother was really shocked.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really shocking" when you want to emphasize the unexpected and disturbing nature of an event or piece of information. It's suitable for conveying a strong sense of surprise and dismay.

Common error

Avoid using "really shocking" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more nuanced and precise language to convey the level of surprise or concern.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "really shocking" is to act as an intensifier modifying an adjective. "Really" serves to amplify the degree to which something is shocking, highlighting the surprising and often disturbing nature of the event or information. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really shocking" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the surprising and often disturbing nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and the examples highlight its prevalence in news and media contexts. While effective in conveying strong emotion, it's important to consider the formality of the context and choose more precise language for academic or professional settings. Related phrases like "utterly unbelievable" or "truly appalling" can offer alternative ways to express a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly appalling

Replaces "shocking" with a stronger synonym emphasizing the moral dimension of the surprise.

utterly unbelievable

Shifts the focus to the incredulity caused by the shocking event.

absolutely staggering

Replaces "shocking" with a word implying astonishment and overwhelming impact.

genuinely disturbing

Emphasizes the unsettling nature of the surprising event.

honestly astonishing

Uses a different adjective and adverb to express the high level of surprise.

downright outrageous

Suggests the shocking event is unacceptable or offensive.

plainly unbelievable

Highlights the difficulty in accepting the truth of what happened.

quite astounding

Uses "astounding" to convey a sense of great surprise and wonder.

incredibly alarming

Focuses on the worry or fear caused by the shocking event.

remarkably surprising

Directly states the unexpected nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "really shocking" in a sentence?

"Really shocking" is used to emphasize the surprising and often disturbing nature of something. For example, "The details of the scandal were "really shocking"."

What are some alternatives to "really shocking"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "truly appalling", "utterly unbelievable", or "absolutely staggering".

Is "really shocking" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "really shocking" may be too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives.

How does "really shocking" differ from "somewhat surprising"?

"Really shocking" implies a much stronger sense of surprise and often suggests a negative or disturbing aspect, whereas "somewhat surprising" indicates a mild level of unexpectedness.