shocking to hear

USAGE SUMMARY

"shocking to hear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express that something is unexpected and startling. For example: "It was shocking to hear that he had died so suddenly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To whites, for example, it has been shocking to hear Mr. Wright suggest that the AIDS virus was released as a deliberate government plot to kill black people.

The New York Times

His tales of gradual acceptance by the Thangmi were fascinating, but it was shocking to hear him declare almost casually that Thangmi will be extinct in 50 years, with only his dictionary and two-volume grammar standing in its memory.

Independent

Yet it was shocking to hear part of the reason why straight from the mouths of hiring managers.

Huffington Post

"I couldn't believe it, it was shocking to hear a professional like that, say something like that in a room full of students," former NAACP President Jimmie Griffin told WTNH.

Huffington Post

'Now, this was truly shocking to hear.

The Guardian - Arts

In 2011, it is shocking to hear the racist language.

The Guardian

It felt shocking to hear the problem described in such blunt terms.

The New York Times

"Isn't it shocking to hear such assertions come from a child?" the poster wrote.

The New York Times

Still, it is shocking to hear Junon justify her decision with, "I'm taking back what's mine".

The New Yorker

My thoughts are with his family & friends So sad and shocking to hear about Alan Rickman.

Independent

He added, "It may be shocking to hear something stated so bluntly".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shocking to hear" when you want to express a sense of surprise and often disbelief or dismay upon hearing certain news or information. Ensure the context warrants a genuinely surprised or taken-aback reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "shocking to hear" for mildly surprising or commonplace news. This phrase carries a strong emotional weight and should be reserved for truly unexpected or disturbing information to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shocking to hear" functions as an introductory expression of surprise or disbelief upon receiving information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for expressing unexpected or startling news.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shocking to hear" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey surprise, disbelief, or dismay upon hearing something unexpected. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for expressing unexpected or startling news. It's primarily found in news and media, with neutral formality. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants a genuinely surprised or taken-aback reaction and avoid overusing it in mundane situations. Alternatives such as "surprising to hear" or "astonishing to hear" can be used to adjust the emotional intensity. Remember that "shocking to hear" relates to auditory information, differentiating it from "shocking to see", which relates to visual information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprising to hear

Changes the emotional intensity, making it milder.

astonishing to hear

Emphasizes incredulity more strongly.

unbelievable to hear

Focuses on the difficulty in accepting the information.

hard to believe

Indicates skepticism and doubt.

difficult to accept

Highlights the struggle to come to terms with the news.

jarring to hear

Suggests a sudden and unpleasant disturbance.

disturbing to hear

Indicates that the information is unsettling.

unexpected to hear

Focuses on the lack of anticipation.

startling to hear

Highlights the sudden and surprising nature of the information.

it's a shock to hear

Rephrases the sentiment as a noun phrase, emphasizing the impact.

FAQs

How can I use "shocking to hear" in a sentence?

You can use "shocking to hear" to express surprise and disbelief. For example, "It was "shocking to hear" about the sudden closure of the factory".

What's a less intense alternative to "shocking to hear"?

If you want to express mild surprise, you can use alternatives like "surprising to hear" or "unexpected to hear".

Is "shocking to hear" formal or informal?

"Shocking to hear" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though in very formal settings, alternatives like "astonishing to hear" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "shocking to hear" and "shocking to see"?

"Shocking to hear" refers to information received aurally, while "shocking to see" refers to something visually witnessed. The former relates to news or reports, and the latter to observed events or images.