totally appalled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally appalled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong shock or disapproval regarding a situation or action. Example: "I was totally appalled by the lack of empathy shown during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I'm totally appalled".

The New York Times

"I'm totally appalled," said the mother of the girl who filed sexual harassment charges against the wrestler.

The New York Times

Landry told the ABC she was "totally appalled" by the move and said she had been contacted by despairing young women members wanting to quit the party.

The Guardian

My friends wouldn't understand, they are totally appalled when I tell them about his hours and what it means for us.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I was totally appalled and told them I wanted them to do something about it, and so did my mother," said Nancy Berliner, chief of hematology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and Robert Berliner's daughter.

The Washington Post

The shadow Treasury minister Chris Leslie said: "People on middle and low incomes, who are paying more in higher VAT and seeing their tax credits and child benefit cut, will be totally appalled at the size of this government's tax giveaway to highly paid banking executives.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

We're all appalled.

The New York Times - Magazine

We were all appalled".

Independent

The foul-mouthed, six-figure-salaried debacle magnet (remember how he was censured by Ofcom earlier this year for condoning negative stereotypes of gay people? Recall the panning Channel 4's Moyles' Quiz Night received?) told his BBC Radio 1 listeners that Totally Saturday is "appalling television".

The Guardian

Still, park superintendent Jorgensen told the Borrego Sun he was "appalled" by the "totally irresponsible" act.

Los Angeles Times

Head of WPP Sir Martin Sorrell condemned his own firm for a "totally unacceptable" advert, adding he was "appalled and embarrassed" at the 90-second advert.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally appalled" to express a strong, immediate negative reaction to something perceived as wrong or shocking. It is effective in conveying personal disapproval.

Common error

Avoid using "totally appalled" in highly formal or professional documents. Opt for more restrained and objective language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally appalled" functions as an adjective phrase used to express a strong emotional reaction of shock and disapproval. Ludwig examples show it modifying a subject expressing their feelings about a situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally appalled" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a strong feeling of shock and disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While most commonly found in news and media, it's important to consider the formality of the context, as the intensifier "totally" can make it less appropriate for formal writing. Consider alternatives like "utterly disgusted" or "absolutely horrified", but choose the one closest to your intended meaning and context. Remember, "totally appalled" conveys more than simple disagreement; it communicates a strong negative emotional response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Utterly disgusted

Emphasizes a feeling of revulsion, slightly stronger than "totally appalled".

Absolutely horrified

Focuses on fear and shock, adding a layer of emotional intensity not present in "totally appalled".

Righteously indignant

Indicates anger caused by perceived injustice, adding a moral dimension absent in "totally appalled".

Completely shocked

Highlights surprise and disbelief, where "totally appalled" emphasizes disapproval.

Incredulously shocked

Highlights the inability to believe something, focusing more on disbelief than disapproval.

Deeply offended

Indicates a personal insult or violation of one's principles, making it more specific than "totally appalled".

Profoundly disturbed

Emphasizes a deep sense of unease and disquiet, making it a more subtle and internal reaction than "totally appalled".

Seriously dismayed

Suggests disappointment and discouragement, a milder reaction compared to the stronger "totally appalled".

Extremely displeased

Emphasizes dissatisfaction, differing from the outrage conveyed by "totally appalled".

Quite disapproving

Indicates a mild form of disagreement or criticism, making it significantly weaker than "totally appalled".

FAQs

How can I use "totally appalled" in a sentence?

"Totally appalled" is used to express strong disapproval or shock. For example, "I was totally appalled by the decision" or "She was totally appalled at the behavior of the crowd".

What are some alternatives to "totally appalled"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly disgusted", "absolutely horrified", or "completely shocked" to convey similar strong negative reactions.

Is it appropriate to use "totally appalled" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "totally appalled" can sound informal due to the intensifier "totally". In formal contexts, consider using more restrained phrases such as "deeply disappointed" or "strongly disapproved".

What's the difference between "totally appalled" and "slightly disappointed"?

"Totally appalled" conveys a strong feeling of shock and disapproval, whereas "slightly disappointed" expresses a mild sense of dissatisfaction. The former is a much stronger emotional response.