too shocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too shocking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively surprising or disturbing, often in a negative context. Example: "The news of the sudden disaster was too shocking for the community to process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

American shock jock Howard Stern isn't physically too shocking at all - more of a persistent purr in your abdomen.

BBC

This is not too shocking.

The New York Times - Arts

Not too shocking, I think.

The New Yorker

That can't be too shocking.

The New York Times

(I hope my language isn't too shocking).

The New Yorker

"The truth is too shocking for many".

The New Yorker

"Sometimes fantasy is too shocking for adults," he explains.

The New Yorker

It's visceral, almost too shocking to be made up.

The Guardian - Film

The film-making was too stark, too shocking.

The Guardian - Film

It's far too shocking and too strange to be good.

The Guardian - Books

But sometimes, the paradox of it all becomes too shocking to watch.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "too shocking" to express strong disapproval or surprise at something that is considered offensive or inappropriate. Be mindful of your audience and the context in which you use the phrase.

Common error

In professional or academic writing, consider using more nuanced language to express disapproval or surprise. Alternatives such as "highly inappropriate" or "deeply concerning" might be more suitable depending on the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too shocking" functions as an intensifier modifying the adjective "shocking". It expresses that something exceeds the limits of what is acceptable or believable, making it extremely surprising and often offensive as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Film

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "too shocking" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe something exceedingly surprising or offensive. As supported by Ludwig, it typically conveys a strong emotional reaction, most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While versatile, it may be wise to substitute with more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings. Be aware of your audience and the specific context to effectively communicate the appropriate level of surprise or disapproval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply offensive

Highlights the emotional harm and disrespect caused.

highly disturbing

Stresses the unsettling and emotionally upsetting nature.

extremely unsettling

Emphasizes the anxiety and unease caused by something.

utterly scandalous

Focuses on the disgraceful and reputation-damaging aspect of the event.

completely unacceptable

Highlights the total lack of approval or tolerance for something.

unacceptably outrageous

Highlights the unacceptable and offensive nature of something.

remarkably outrageous

Highlights the surprising or unexpected nature of the outrage.

incredibly appalling

Like excessively appalling, indicates a higher degree of disgust

excessively appalling

Emphasizes the extreme level of repulsiveness or unpleasantness.

simply unbelievable

Focuses on the incredible and hard-to-believe aspect of something.

FAQs

How can I use "too shocking" in a sentence?

You can use "too shocking" to describe events, behaviors, or information that are extremely surprising and often offensive. For example: "The details of the crime were "too shocking" to be published in the newspaper."

What are some alternatives to "too shocking"?

Alternatives include "highly disturbing", "deeply offensive", or "utterly scandalous" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "overly shocking" instead of "too shocking"?

Yes, "overly shocking" is a grammatically correct alternative to "too shocking". Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "too shocking" is slightly more common in general usage.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "too shocking"?

While generally acceptable, avoid using "too shocking" in formal or professional writing where a more restrained or precise term would be more suitable, such as "highly inappropriate" or "deeply concerning".