utterly shocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'utterly shocking' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you want to emphasize how surprising or disturbing something is. For example: "The news of his death was utterly shocking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Just utterly shocking.

The Guardian - Books

The frequency of rape is utterly shocking.

The New York Times - Magazine

To have taken it to that degree was utterly shocking.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

However, when the reaction against them starts, the way it plays out seems both natural and utterly shocking.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I have done nothing more than speak to a source, without confirming or denying who that source is, and to criminalize that is utterly shocking.

The New York Times

"The reports are utterly shocking.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Utterly shocked".

The Guardian

"I was utterly shocked," he recalled.

The New York Times

The Clinton campaign acted utterly shocked by this possible revelation.

The New Yorker

"I was utterly shocked by what I read.

The New Yorker

Today I was utterly shocked to hear of Tom's passing.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly shocking" to express strong surprise and disapproval when describing events or situations that are deeply disturbing or unexpected.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly shocking" for minor inconveniences or slightly surprising events. Save it for situations that genuinely evoke a strong sense of disbelief and outrage to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly shocking" functions as an intensifier (utterly) modifying an adjective (shocking). Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage. This construction serves to emphasize the degree to which something is surprising, disturbing, or appalling.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly shocking" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to convey a strong sense of surprise and dismay. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is correct in written English, and our analysis of various sources confirms that it's most commonly found in news and media, with some presence in academic and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "absolutely appalling" or "completely outrageous" exist, "utterly shocking" provides a specific emphasis on the combination of surprise and negativity. Be mindful not to overuse this phrase in less serious situations to preserve its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly appalling

Maintains "utterly" but replaces "shocking" with "appalling" to amplify moral outrage.

completely outrageous

Substitutes "shocking" with "outrageous", highlighting the extreme and unacceptable nature of something.

absolutely appalling

Replaces "shocking" with "appalling", indicating strong disapproval and moral offense.

totally scandalous

Replaces "shocking" with "scandalous", emphasizing the disreputable and damaging aspect of the situation.

incredibly disturbing

Substitutes "shocking" with "disturbing", emphasizing the unsettling and concerning nature of the event.

genuinely horrifying

Substitutes "shocking" with "horrifying", focusing on the fear and dread induced by the event.

absolutely dreadful

Replaces "shocking" with "dreadful", emphasizing the extremely unpleasant or serious nature of something.

thoroughly dismaying

Replaces "shocking" with "dismaying", highlighting the feeling of disappointment and discouragement.

absolutely astonishing

Replaces "shocking" with "astonishing", focusing more on surprise and disbelief than negative emotions.

completely unacceptable

Shifts the focus from shock to a firm declaration of something being intolerable or improper.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly shocking" to describe something that is deeply surprising and disturbing. For example, "The details of the scandal were "utterly shocking"."

What are some alternatives to "utterly shocking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "absolutely appalling", "completely outrageous", or "genuinely horrifying".

Is it correct to say "utterly shocked" instead of "utterly shocking"?

Yes, "utterly shocked" is also correct, but it describes a personal feeling or reaction, whereas ""utterly shocking"" describes the quality of the event itself. For example, "I was utterly shocked by the news" versus "The news was utterly shocking."

Can "utterly shocking" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""utterly shocking"" can be used in formal writing, but consider the tone and audience. In some cases, a more restrained or nuanced phrase might be more appropriate.