situation is appalling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "situation is appalling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disapproval or shock regarding a particular circumstance or condition. Example: "The situation is appalling, and immediate action must be taken to address the issues at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"We know it's needed, but we just think the situation is appalling".

The New York Times

"It is an absolutely abject situation in Calais, there are harmful levels of bacteria and the hygiene situation is appalling," he added.

The Guardian

But the Milly Dowler situation is appalling, and the person who gave the orders for her phone to be hacked can have no humanity at all.

The Guardian - Books

In some of the sub-indicators the situation is appalling (for example, Spain is 133rd for ease of starting a new business).

The Guardian - Opinion

This situation is appalling.

Huffington Post

"The humanitarian situation is appalling, and [it] is worsening every day".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Their situation was appalling, even worse than the Jungle.

The Guardian

Although there was a consensus that the humanitarian situation was appalling, Russia and South Africa opposed any outside intervention, saying the crisis should be solved by regional negotiations.

The New York Times

The situation here is appalling and especially grim for passengers trying to return to London.

The Guardian

"We can easily spend six hours driving to and from, plus about £50 ($78) in fuel costs, and the parking situation at Heathrow is appalling," said Hood, 47.

BBC

The situation is absolutely appalling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "situation is appalling", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates why the situation warrants such a strong negative assessment. Provide specific details or evidence to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "situation is appalling" lightly or without sufficient reason. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact and credibility. Reserve it for genuinely dire or shocking circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "situation is appalling" functions as a declarative statement expressing a strong negative judgment about a particular state of affairs. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to convey shock or disapproval. The examples show it modifying various situations from humanitarian crises to individual circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "situation is appalling" is used to express strong disapproval or shock regarding a particular state of affairs. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively uncommon, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. The expert rating is positive, reflecting the phrase's clear meaning and authoritative sources. Related phrases offer alternative ways to convey similar sentiments, while writing guidance emphasizes the importance of justification and avoiding overuse. In conclusion, "situation is appalling" is a powerful expression best reserved for genuinely dire or shocking circumstances, lending weight to a negative assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the state of affairs is dreadful

Replaces "appalling" with "dreadful", emphasizing the severity and unpleasantness of the situation.

the circumstances are horrifying

Substitutes "appalling" with "horrifying", highlighting the shocking and disturbing nature of the circumstances.

the condition is atrocious

Replaces "appalling" with "atrocious", indicating the extremely bad or unpleasant state of the condition.

the reality is grim

Uses "grim" instead of "appalling", focusing on the bleak and depressing aspect of the reality.

the case is deeply disturbing

Replaces "appalling" with "deeply disturbing", emphasizing the troubling and unsettling nature of the case.

the scenario is deeply concerning

Changes "appalling" to "deeply concerning", highlighting the worrying aspect of the scenario.

the crisis is dire

Substitutes the entire phrase with "crisis is dire", indicating a desperate and urgent situation.

the predicament is unacceptable

Replaces "appalling" with "unacceptable", focusing on the fact that the predicament cannot be tolerated.

the matter is outrageous

Changes "appalling" to "outrageous", emphasizing the shocking and morally offensive aspect of the matter.

the situation is simply unacceptable

Adds "simply unacceptable" emphasizing the situation does not reach the minimum standard.

FAQs

What does "situation is appalling" mean?

The phrase "situation is appalling" expresses a strong feeling of shock, disapproval, or disgust regarding a particular state of affairs. It suggests the situation is extremely bad or unacceptable.

What can I say instead of "situation is appalling"?

You can use alternatives like "the state of affairs is dreadful", "the circumstances are horrifying", or "the condition is atrocious" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "situation is appalling" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "situation is appalling" might be perceived as too emotive for some formal contexts. Consider using a more neutral or objective phrasing, such as "the situation is deeply concerning" or "the circumstances are unacceptable."

What are some examples of when the phrase "situation is appalling" is correctly used?

This phrase is correctly used when describing scenarios involving humanitarian crises, severe neglect, blatant injustice, or any situation that causes widespread suffering or moral outrage. For instance, "The humanitarian situation in the refugee camp is appalling."