truly appalling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "truly appalling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disapproval or shock regarding a situation, event, or behavior. Example: "The conditions in the shelter were truly appalling, and immediate action is needed to improve them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The accommodation was truly appalling.

The Guardian

But the "contemporary" stuff is truly appalling.

The New York Times - Arts

The Daniel Bartlam case was truly appalling.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their plight is truly appalling," Dr Chisholm said.

Independent

This is a truly appalling level of censorship".

The Guardian

It's one of the most truly appalling sequences in cinema.

The Guardian - Film

She added: "What's being done to these children behind locked doors is truly appalling".

Independent

"And if the restaurant meal is truly appalling, you will literally purge yourself".

The New Yorker

If there were truly appalling delays, Sohn had a shot at leading the six-o'clock news.

The New Yorker

These premises were in a truly appalling state and posed an unacceptable danger to public health.

Independent

We watch the video, which is of a truly appalling quality and virtually impossible to hear.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "truly appalling" to express strong disapproval or shock in situations where something is exceptionally bad or disturbing. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "truly appalling" in everyday casual conversation about minor inconveniences. It's a strong phrase that should be reserved for genuinely serious or shocking situations, otherwise it can sound exaggerated or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "truly appalling" functions as an intensifier (truly) modifying an adjective (appalling). As shown by Ludwig, this combination amplifies the degree to which something is considered awful or shocking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "truly appalling" is a common and grammatically correct way to express strong disapproval or shock. As Ludwig AI confirms, it consists of the adverb "truly" modifying the adjective "appalling", intensifying its negative meaning. It's frequently used in news and media contexts to describe situations or events considered exceptionally bad or disturbing. While suitable for formal writing, avoid overusing it in casual conversations. Consider alternatives like "utterly dreadful" or "absolutely horrifying" to add nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly dreadful

Replaces "truly appalling" with different adjectives to convey a similar sense of intense negativity.

genuinely awful

Uses "genuinely" instead of "truly" and "awful" instead of "appalling", offering a slightly less formal tone.

absolutely horrifying

Emphasizes the shocking and disturbing nature of something, rather than just its bad quality.

downright atrocious

A more emphatic way of saying something is terrible, suggesting a flagrant violation of standards.

exceptionally bad

Focuses on the degree of badness, highlighting that something is far worse than usual.

remarkably dreadful

Similar to "utterly dreadful", but replacing "utterly" with "remarkably".

thoroughly wretched

Uses "wretched" to describe something that is extremely unpleasant or of poor quality.

simply terrible

A more straightforward and less dramatic way to express strong disapproval.

unquestionably dreadful

Emphasizes that there is no doubt about how bad something is.

positively dreadful

Replaces "truly" with "positively" offering a variation in emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "truly appalling" in a sentence?

You can use "truly appalling" to describe something exceptionally bad or shocking. For example: "The living conditions were "truly appalling"."

What phrases are similar to "truly appalling"?

Similar phrases include "utterly dreadful", "genuinely awful", and "absolutely horrifying". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "truly appalling" in formal writing?

Yes, "truly appalling" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to express strong disapproval or shock. However, consider the audience and the overall tone of your piece.

What makes "absolutely horrifying" different than "truly appalling"?

"Absolutely horrifying" emphasizes the shocking and disturbing nature of something, while "truly appalling" focuses more on its extremely bad quality. So, "absolutely horrifying" is more suitable when something evokes fear or disgust.