shocking news

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shocking news" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when describing news that is unexpected, unexpected or surprising. For example, "The president delivered some shocking news to the nation today".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's shocking news.

Independent

It was shocking news.

The Guardian - Books

This was shocking news to his victims.

The New Yorker

This was not shocking news.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's obviously very shocking news, very sad.

The New York Times - Sports

She got the shocking news in her car.

The New York Times

All of which obviously swirled around the shocking news itself.

Independent

The most shocking news came next, on July 13 , 1990

The New York Times - Sports

"It was shocking news to me," she said.

The New York Times

But wouldn't it be hurtful to dump such shocking news on her, unprepared?

The New York Times

In December, the trusts and estates lawyers at Debevoise & Plimpton received shocking news.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shocking news", consider the audience and context. Ensure the tone aligns with the level of surprise or disbelief you intend to convey, as overuse can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "shocking news" excessively, as it can lose its impact and become cliché. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "surprising information" or "unexpected disclosure" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shocking news" primarily functions as a noun phrase where "shocking" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "news". Ludwig's examples show its use in conveying unexpected and often negative information. The term serves to highlight the impact and surprise associated with the news.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shocking news" is a commonly used phrase to describe unexpected and often disturbing information, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase, where "shocking" modifies "news" and is primarily used in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct and widely understood, overusing the phrase can diminish its impact. It is also helpful to use synonyms to add variety. The phrase is generally neutral in register but consider using alternatives when writing in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bombshell revelation

Replaces "shocking" with "bombshell", indicating something that is extremely surprising and impactful, and uses "revelation" instead of "news".

jaw-dropping update

Replaces "shocking" with "jaw-dropping", conveying a sense of astonishment, and "news" with "update" suggesting a current report.

startling revelation

Replaces "news" with "revelation" to emphasize the unveiling of something previously unknown, and "shocking" with "startling" offering a softer impact.

stunning announcement

Replaces "news" with "announcement", focusing on a formal declaration, and "shocking" with "stunning", indicating amazement and disbelief.

astounding report

Replaces "news" with "report", suggesting a formal account, and "shocking" with "astounding", highlighting the level of surprise.

eye-opening development

Replaces "shocking" with "eye-opening", focusing on the revealing nature of the information, and "news" with "development" indicating progress.

unexpected disclosure

Substitutes "news" with "disclosure" highlighting the act of making something known, and replaces "shocking" with "unexpected" emphasizing lack of anticipation.

surprising information

Replaces "news" with "information", a broader term, and "shocking" with "surprising", lessening the intensity of the impact.

unbelievable story

Replaces "news" with "story" referring to a narrative, and "shocking" with "unbelievable" to express incredulity.

earth-shattering intelligence

Replaces "shocking" with "earth-shattering", increasing the magnitude of the surprise, and "news" with "intelligence" implying secret or strategic information.

FAQs

What does "shocking news" mean?

"Shocking news" refers to information that is unexpected, surprising, and often disturbing or upsetting. It usually implies a significant deviation from what was anticipated.

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

You can use "shocking news" in a sentence like, "The "stunning announcement" of the company's bankruptcy came as "shocking news" to its employees".

What are some synonyms for "shocking news"?

Some synonyms for "shocking news" include "startling revelation", "surprising information", and "astounding report". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "shocking news" in formal writing?

While "shocking news" is generally acceptable, consider the tone of your formal writing. In some cases, a more nuanced phrase such as "unexpected disclosure" or "stunning announcement" may be more appropriate.