this sounds appalling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this sounds appalling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong disapproval or shock regarding something that has been said or described. Example: "After hearing the details of the incident, I must say, this sounds appalling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Obviously, this sounds appalling.

The Guardian - Opinion

WH: When he was arrested and tried and found guilty, he chose--I mean this sounds appalling to us, it's only the '50s--he chose chemical castration instead of going to jail.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"If the idea sounds appalling, you are going to be miserable, and nothing I say about the saffron-tinged cauliflower with chopped green olives or the arugula-fennel salad with pickled sardines is going to change your mind".

The New York Times

If this sounds as appalling to you as it does to me, you can always resort to desperate measures.

Huffington Post

On paper, it sounded appalling.

The Guardian - Opinion

That may sound appalling, but compared with other ex-cons, sex offenders were paragons of virtue.

The Economist

Rifkind's confession that he had a lot of spare time to read and walk sounded appalling.

Independent

That may sound appalling, but the book is thankfully free of kookiness and farce.

The Guardian - Books

That might sound appalling, but I didn't have as much of a problem with him dealing with the history of the Confederacy as not acknowledging the other side of the story.

Vice

Bizarre and appalling as this sounds – and the FA is currently investigating – is it not an isolated incident.

The Guardian - Sport

As appalling as this sounds to all the coquettes out there, apparently, women are not as happy in the sack as they should be.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this sounds appalling" to express strong disapproval or shock when you hear or read about something that is morally wrong, deeply unpleasant, or causes significant distress. Make sure the context aligns with a negative or alarming situation.

Common error

Avoid using "this sounds appalling" in situations that are only mildly inconvenient or simply different from your expectations. The phrase is strong and should be reserved for genuinely disturbing or morally questionable scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this sounds appalling" functions as an expression of strong negative evaluation or judgment. Ludwig AI identifies it as a subjective assessment based on information received, indicating that the speaker finds the described situation or idea deeply disturbing or morally unacceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this sounds appalling" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for conveying strong disapproval or shock, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it serves to highlight deeply disturbing or morally unacceptable situations. While "appalling" is a strong word, the phrase maintains a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with situations genuinely deserving of strong negative judgment and explore alternatives like "that sounds terrible" or "this seems dreadful" for subtle variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that sounds terrible

Replaces "appalling" with "terrible", maintaining a similar level of negativity.

this sounds awful

Substitutes "appalling" with "awful", expressing strong dislike or disapproval.

this seems dreadful

Replaces "sounds appalling" with "seems dreadful", conveying a sense of something being extremely unpleasant.

that is utterly dreadful

Emphasizes the extremely unpleasant nature of something.

that seems horrifying

Emphasizes the shock and fear associated with something.

this is deeply disturbing

Highlights the unsettling and concerning nature of something.

that rings alarmingly

Uses "rings alarmingly" to indicate a worrying or disturbing quality.

this strikes me as terrible

Replaces "sounds" with "strikes me as", indicating a personal feeling of something being terrible.

that makes me shudder

Expresses a physical reaction of disgust or fear in response to something.

this gives me the creeps

Uses informal language to express a feeling of unease or disgust.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "this sounds appalling"?

Use "this sounds appalling" to express strong disapproval, shock, or disgust when something described is deeply unpleasant, morally wrong, or highly disturbing. It is best used when the situation warrants a strong negative reaction.

What are some alternatives to "this sounds appalling"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "that sounds terrible", "this sounds awful", or "that seems dreadful" to express similar sentiments.

Is "this sounds appalling" formal or informal?

"This sounds appalling" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for news reporting, commentary, and professional communication, but might be too strong for very casual conversations. Choose a phrase such as "that makes me shudder" or "this gives me the creeps" if you are looking for an informal alternative.

Can "that sounds appalling" be used interchangeably with "this sounds appalling"?

Yes, "that sounds appalling" and "this sounds appalling" are generally interchangeable. "This" usually refers to something immediate or present, while "that" refers to something slightly more distant or previously mentioned, but in most contexts, the difference is negligible.