this is really shocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is really shocking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express surprise or disbelief about a situation or event that is unexpected or disturbing. Example: "After hearing the news about the sudden closure of the company, I must say, this is really shocking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"This is really shocking.

The Guardian - Books

On the day the truth emerged about Tapui's immigration status - September 16 last year - Lady Scotland sacked her by text, sending Tapui's husband the message: "Alex, this is really shocking.

Independent

"This is really shocking," he said.

The New York Times

OK, this is really shocking: a Heritage Foundation economist has been accused of presenting false, deliberately misleading data and analysis to the Senate Budget Committee.

The New York Times

None of this is really shocking, or new.

Vice

Richard Daynard, a law professor at Northeastern University in Boston and a leader of anti-tobacco litigation, suggested that states turn to other measures, such as raising the age for buying cigarettes from 18 to 21. "The idea that the marketers of a deadly, addictive product who are doing their damnedest to hook teenagers have a constitutional right to do this is really shocking," Daynard said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And that is what is really shocking.

The Guardian - Film

To me, that's really shocking.

The New York Times

Seeing that level of suffering is really shocking.

Huffington Post

We live in a time where nothing is really shocking.

Vice

We can't tell if this kitten is really shocked or just very, very odd.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is really shocking" to express genuine surprise or disbelief about a situation that you find unexpected and disturbing. Ensure the context warrants the intensity of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "this is really shocking" for minor inconveniences or slightly surprising events. Reserve it for situations that genuinely evoke a strong sense of shock, disbelief or moral offense to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is really shocking" functions as an exclamatory statement expressing surprise and disbelief. It's used to convey a strong emotional reaction to unexpected or disturbing information. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this is really shocking" serves as a powerful exclamation to express surprise, disbelief, or dismay, particularly in response to unexpected or disturbing events. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. As demonstrated by the numerous examples found on Ludwig, this phrase is frequently employed in News & Media. While grammatically straightforward, it’s important to reserve its use for situations genuinely deserving of a strong reaction to maintain its impact. Alternatives include "this is truly surprising" and "this is quite astonishing", offering nuanced ways to convey similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This is truly surprising

Replaces "really shocking" with "truly surprising", softening the intensity of the original phrase.

This is quite astonishing

Substitutes "really shocking" with "quite astonishing", indicating a high level of surprise but in a more formal way.

This is utterly appalling

Replaces "really shocking" with "utterly appalling", conveying a stronger sense of moral offense or disgust.

This is absolutely unbelievable

Emphasizes disbelief more than shock, suggesting the situation is hard to accept as true.

This is completely unexpected

Focuses on the lack of anticipation, rather than the emotional impact of the news.

This is quite disturbing

Shifts the focus to the unsettling or concerning nature of the situation.

This is deeply unsettling

Similar to "quite disturbing" but intensifies the feeling of unease.

This is remarkably surprising

Emphasizes the level of surprise, using "remarkably" as an intensifier.

I find this truly shocking

Adds a personal perspective, making the statement more about the speaker's reaction.

It's hard to believe

Highlights the difficulty in accepting the situation as true, rather than the initial shock.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "this is really shocking"?

You can use alternatives like "this is truly surprising", "this is quite astonishing", or "this is utterly appalling" depending on the context.

How to use "this is really shocking" in a sentence?

You can use "this is really shocking" to express surprise or disbelief about a situation that is unexpected or disturbing. For example, "After hearing the news about the sudden closure of the company, this is really shocking."

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "this is really shocking"?

It's appropriate to use "this is really shocking" when you want to convey a strong sense of surprise or disbelief, typically in response to something unexpected, disturbing, or morally questionable. However, be mindful of the context and avoid overusing it for minor inconveniences.

What's the difference between "this is really shocking" and "this is very shocking"?

"This is really shocking" and "this is very shocking" are quite similar, with "really" often intensifying the feeling of shock more than "very". Both express surprise, but "really" can suggest a slightly stronger emotional impact than "very".