the appalling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the appalling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is shocking, terrible, or extremely bad, often in a moral or ethical context. Example: "The appalling conditions in the refugee camp drew international attention and outrage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't forget the appalling forecast tomorrow.

The Guardian - Sport

I met all the appalling stereotypes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The appalling consequences are all too stark.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then they saw the appalling results.

The Guardian - Film

Then there is the appalling deficit in America.

Independent

What is beyond doubt is the appalling treatment of Rezaian.

Independent

'I love what they do, the appalling lighting.

The Guardian

We look daily at the appalling mystery of plain stuff.

The Guardian - Books

The case of Charlotte with the appalling verrucas.

The Guardian - Tech

Others point to the appalling lack of women in technology.

The Guardian - Opinion

They felt the appalling deprivation of it all.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the appalling", consider the audience and ensure that the severity of the situation aligns with the strength of the word choice. Overuse in minor contexts can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "the appalling" to describe minor inconveniences or mildly unpleasant situations. This can dilute the word's impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the appalling" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It serves to intensify the noun it precedes, indicating a high degree of negativity or disapproval. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts ranging from "the appalling conditions" to "the appalling treatment."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the appalling" is a commonly used adjective phrase that effectively conveys strong negative sentiment and emphasizes the severity of a situation. It is grammatically correct and appropriate for formal contexts such as news reports, academic writing, and professional communications. According to Ludwig, the phrase is particularly well-suited for describing situations that evoke shock, disgust, or moral outrage. While it's a powerful expression, it is important to avoid overuse in minor contexts to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "the dreadful", "the horrifying", and "the shocking" can be used to vary your language while maintaining a similar level of expressiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the dreadful

Similar in expressing a sense of something being extremely bad or unpleasant, but slightly less formal.

the horrifying

Focuses specifically on the horror-inducing aspect of something extremely bad.

the shocking

Highlights the surprising and disturbing nature of something bad.

the atrocious

Emphasizes the extreme wickedness or brutality of something.

the terrible

A more general term for something very bad or unpleasant.

the frightful

Emphasizes the fear-inducing quality of something bad.

the gruesome

Highlights the repulsively unpleasant or horrifying aspect.

the heinous

Specifically refers to something shockingly evil or wicked.

the abominable

Expresses strong dislike or disgust for something.

the deplorable

Indicates something deserving strong condemnation or disapproval.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "the appalling" in a sentence?

Use "the appalling" to describe something shockingly bad or unpleasant, often with moral implications. For example, "the appalling conditions" in the prison were exposed by the report.

What are some alternatives to "the appalling"?

Depending on the context, you could use "the dreadful", "the horrifying", or "the shocking" as alternatives.

Is it appropriate to use "the appalling" in formal writing?

Yes, "the appalling" is suitable for formal writing when describing truly shocking or terrible situations. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your piece.

What's the difference between "the appalling" and "the terrible"?

"The terrible" is a more general term for something very bad. "The appalling" implies a greater degree of shock, disgust, or moral outrage. "The terrible weather" might ruin a picnic, but "the appalling violence" would describe a much more serious situation.