Appalling vs Appalled: When And How Can You Use Each One?

Are you confused about whether to use “appalling” or “appalled” in your writing? You’re not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two words and provide examples of how to use them correctly.

Let’s clear up any confusion about which of the two words is the proper word to use. Both “appalling” and “appalled” are correct words in the English language. However, they have different meanings.

“Appalling” is an adjective that describes something that is shockingly bad or terrible. It can be used to describe a situation, an event, or a person’s behavior. For example, “The conditions in the factory were appalling.” This means that the conditions were extremely bad or terrible.

“Appalled” is a verb that means to be shocked or horrified by something. It can be used to describe a person’s emotional reaction to a situation, an event, or a person’s behavior. For example, “I was appalled by the conditions in the factory.” This means that the speaker was shocked or horrified by the conditions.

Now that we’ve clarified the meanings of these two words, let’s explore some examples of how to use them correctly.

Define Appalling

Appalling is an adjective that describes something that is extremely bad, shocking, or disgusting. It can be used to describe situations, events, or actions that are so terrible that they cause great fear, disgust, or outrage in people. For example, the appalling conditions in some prisons have been the subject of much public debate and concern.

Some synonyms for appalling include: dreadful, horrific, terrible, and shocking. These words can be used interchangeably with appalling in many cases, depending on the context in which they are used.

Define Appalled

Appalled is the past tense of the verb appall, which means to shock or horrify someone. When someone is appalled, they are deeply disturbed or disgusted by something that they have seen, heard, or experienced. For example, a person might be appalled by the sight of a car accident, or by the behavior of a politician.

Some synonyms for appalled include: horrified, shocked, and disgusted. These words can be used interchangeably with appalled in many cases, depending on the context in which they are used.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using words in a sentence, it is important to understand the nuances of their meanings. In this section, we will discuss the proper usage of the words “appalling” and “appalled.”

How To Use “Appalling” In A Sentence

The word “appalling” is an adjective that describes something that is shockingly bad or unacceptable. It is often used to express strong disapproval or disgust. Here are some examples of how to use “appalling” in a sentence:

• The conditions in the factory were absolutely appalling.
• The way he treated his employees was appalling.
• The lack of action on climate change is truly appalling.

As you can see, “appalling” is typically used to describe something that is objectively bad or wrong. It is a strong word that conveys a sense of moral outrage or indignation.

How To Use “Appalled” In A Sentence

The word “appalled” is a verb that describes the feeling of shock, horror, or disgust that one experiences when confronted with something that is morally or ethically wrong. Here are some examples of how to use “appalled” in a sentence:

• I was appalled by the way he spoke to his mother.
• She was appalled by the conditions in the prison.
• We were all appalled by the news of the massacre.

As you can see, “appalled” is typically used to describe a personal reaction to something that is morally or ethically wrong. It is a strong word that conveys a sense of shock or horror.

More Examples Of Appalling & Appalled Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand how to use the words appalling and appalled in a sentence, it is important to look at a variety of examples. Below are some examples of using these words in different contexts.

Examples Of Using Appalling In A Sentence

• The conditions in the factory were absolutely appalling.
• I found it appalling that he would treat his employees that way.
• The level of pollution in the river is truly appalling.
• The lack of resources available to the school was appalling.
• The way the government is handling the crisis is simply appalling.
• The amount of waste produced by the company is appalling.
• The state of the roads in this city is appalling.
• The way some people treat animals is truly appalling.
• The level of corruption in the government is appalling.
• The amount of plastic in the ocean is truly appalling.

Examples Of Using Appalled In A Sentence

• I was appalled by the way he spoke to his mother.
• She was appalled by the lack of hygiene in the restaurant.
• The teacher was appalled by the student’s behavior.
• He was appalled by the amount of money he was expected to pay.
• The doctor was appalled by the patient’s condition.
• She was appalled by the level of violence in the movie.
• He was appalled by the way the company treated its employees.
• The journalist was appalled by the lack of freedom of speech in the country.
• The customer was appalled by the poor quality of the product.
• The politician was appalled by the level of poverty in the area.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “appalling” and “appalled,” many people tend to interchange them without realizing the difference in their meanings. Here are some common mistakes you should avoid:

Using “Appalled” Instead Of “Appalling”

One of the most common mistakes is using “appalled” when you actually mean “appalling.” “Appalled” is an adjective used to express shock, disgust, or horror at something. On the other hand, “appalling” is an adjective used to describe something that is extremely bad, shocking, or horrific. For example, “I was appalled by the condition of the restaurant’s bathroom” is incorrect. The correct sentence should be “The condition of the restaurant’s bathroom was appalling.”

Using “Appalling” Instead Of “Appalled”

Another mistake people make is using “appalling” when they mean “appalled.” As mentioned earlier, “appalling” is an adjective used to describe something that is extremely bad, shocking, or horrific. However, “appalled” is an adjective used to express shock, disgust, or horror at something. For instance, “The news of the plane crash left me appalling” is incorrect. The correct sentence should be “The news of the plane crash left me appalled.”

Using “Appalled” As A Verb

Using “appalled” as a verb is another common mistake. “Appalled” is an adjective and cannot be used as a verb. Instead, you can use “appall,” which is a verb that means to shock or horrify someone. For example, “The sight of the accident appalled me” is correct. The incorrect version would be “I was appalled by the sight of the accident.”

Tips To Avoid Making These Mistakes

Here are some tips to help you avoid making these mistakes:

• Always double-check the meaning of the word before using it in a sentence.
• Read through your sentences carefully to ensure that you have used the correct word.
• Use a thesaurus to find alternative words if you are unsure about the correct usage.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “appalling” and “appalled”, context is crucial. The appropriate use of these words depends on the situation and the message that the writer or speaker wants to convey.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “appalling” and “appalled” might change:

Context	Appropriate Word Choice
A news article about a tragic event	“Appalling”
A personal reaction to the same tragic event	“Appalled”
A review of a movie with disturbing content	“Appalling”
A description of a friend’s bad behavior	“Appalled”

In the first two examples, “appalling” is the appropriate word choice for a news article reporting on a tragic event, as it conveys the severity and gravity of the situation. However, when expressing a personal reaction to the same event, “appalled” is more appropriate as it conveys a sense of shock and disbelief.

Similarly, when reviewing a movie with disturbing content, “appalling” is the better choice as it conveys the negative impact the content may have on the audience. On the other hand, when describing a friend’s bad behavior, “appalled” is more appropriate as it conveys a sense of disappointment and disapproval.

Therefore, the choice between “appalling” and “appalled” greatly depends on the context in which they are used, and the message that the writer or speaker wants to convey.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the usage of appalling and appalled follows a set of rules, there are exceptions where these rules may not apply. Here are some of the exceptions:

1. Colloquialism

In informal conversations, people may use appalling and appalled interchangeably, regardless of the context. This is because the distinction between the two words is not always clear in everyday language. For instance:

• “I was appalled by the movie’s ending” – This is grammatically correct, but some people may say “I was appalling by the movie’s ending” due to the similarity of the two words.
• “The food at that restaurant was appalling” – This is also grammatically correct, but some people may say “The food at that restaurant appalled me” because they find it easier to use the verb form.

2. Regional Differences

The usage of appalling and appalled may also vary in different regions. For example, in British English, the word “appalled” is more commonly used than “appalling” to express strong disapproval. In American English, both words are used interchangeably. Here are some examples:

British English	American English
“I am appalled by your behavior”	“I am appalled at your behavior”
“The situation is appalling”	“The situation is appalled”

3. Irony And Sarcasm

Irony and sarcasm can also affect the usage of appalling and appalled. In some cases, people may use the opposite of what they actually mean to convey their message. For example:

• “I am appalled by your sense of humor” – This may be used sarcastically to mean that the speaker actually finds the person’s sense of humor amusing.
• “The service at that restaurant was appalling” – This may be used ironically to mean that the service was actually very good.

It is important to note that these exceptions are not always acceptable in formal writing. It is best to stick to the rules of using appalling and appalled to avoid confusion and ensure clarity in your writing.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a better understanding of the difference between “appalling” and “appalled,” it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your usage of these words:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose either “appalling” or “appalled” to fill in the blank in the following sentences:

1. The conditions in the factory were __________.
2. She was __________ by the amount of litter on the beach.
3. The movie’s ending was truly __________.
4. He was __________ by the amount of money he had spent on the car.
5. The team’s performance was __________.

Answers:

1. appalling
2. appalled
3. appalling
4. appalled
5. appalling

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word to complete the following sentences:

1. The __________ conditions in the prison shocked the human rights activists.
1. appalling
2. appalled
2. She was __________ by the lack of diversity in the workplace.
1. appalling
2. appalled
3. The __________ smell coming from the kitchen made her lose her appetite.
1. appalling
2. appalled
4. He was __________ by the number of hours he had to work.
1. appalling
2. appalled
5. The __________ state of the building was a health hazard.
1. appalling
2. appalled

Answers:

1. a) appalling
2. b) appalled
3. a) appalling
4. b) appalled
5. a) appalling

These exercises should help you feel more confident in using “appalling” and “appalled” correctly in your writing and speech. Remember, “appalling” is used to describe something that is shockingly bad or unacceptable, while “appalled” describes the feeling of shock or disgust in response to something.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “appalling” and “appalled,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and uses in the English language. “Appalling” is an adjective that describes something that is shocking, terrible, or horrifying, while “appalled” is a verb that describes the emotional reaction to such a thing.

It is important to use these words correctly in order to convey your intended meaning and avoid confusion. Additionally, this article serves as a reminder of the importance of proper grammar and language use in written and spoken communication.

Key Takeaways:

• “Appalling” is an adjective that describes something that is shocking, terrible, or horrifying.
• “Appalled” is a verb that describes the emotional reaction to something that is shocking, terrible, or horrifying.
• Using these words correctly is important for clear communication.
• Proper grammar and language use are essential in effective communication.

By continuing to learn and improve our grammar and language use, we can become more effective communicators and avoid common mistakes that can lead to confusion or misinterpretation.