Appal vs appall is a common question for English learners and writers. This article explains the meaning and spelling of both words so you can choose the right form.
It will show simple examples, check parts of speech, and point out common errors. In this section, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and pronouns will be named in sample sentences. Each verb will be checked for correct tense and subject-verb agreement. Articles and prepositions will be reviewed for precision, and sentence structure will be kept clear. Finally, I will give practical tips and a FAQ to make the difference easy to remember.
Parts of speech analysis
This sentence states the topic and compares the two spellings
- Nouns: sentence, topic, spellings — words that name things.
- Verbs: states, compares — present simple verbs; the subject is This sentence, which is singular, so verbs ending with -s are correct.
- Adjectives: two modifies spellings.
- Adverbs: none in this sentence.
- Prepositions: none.
- Conjunctions: and connects phrases.
- Pronouns: This acts as a demonstrative pronoun.
- Articles: none used here.
- Structure check: Complete clause with subject + verbs + objects. No fragments or run-ons.
Explanation of meaning and spelling in the article
- Nouns: article, meaning, spelling — direct objects.
- Verb: will explain — future tense; subject This sentence is singular, so the single verb form is fine.
- Conjunctions: and links two nouns.
- Modifiers: the is the definite article used before article to point to the specific text.
- Structure check: Clear and correct.
Promise of simple examples and grammar checks
- Nouns: examples, grammar checks — plural nouns.
- Verb: promises — present simple; subject This sentence is singular so promises matches.
- Prepositions/Adverbs: none.
- Structure check: Short, active, and complete.
Overview of the parts of speech to be identified
- Nouns: parts, speech — used together as a noun phrase.
- Verbs: will be named — passive future; passive voice is correct and used to show that the parts of speech are the focus.
- Conjunctions: and separates items in the list.
- Structure check: Passive construction is acceptable here.
Review of verb tense and subject–verb agreement
- Nouns: verbs, tense, agreement — objects of the verb checks.
- Verb: checks — present simple; subject This sentence remains singular and correct.
- Prepositions: for links checks with tense and agreement.
- Structure check: Clear, precise.
Analysis of articles and prepositions for precision
- Nouns: articles, prepositions, precision — items being reviewed.
- Verb: reviews — present simple; correct agreement.
- Prepositions: for shows purpose.
- Structure check: Complete and direct.
Practical tips and an included FAQ section
- Nouns: practical tips, FAQ — plural/collective nouns.
- Verb: promises — present simple again; subject is singular and correct.
- Conjunctions: and joins the two nouns.
- Structure check: Simple and complete.
Meaning: what appal and appall mean
Appal / appall — basic meaning Both appal and appall mean to shock or deeply upset someone. The sense is strong. You use these verbs when something makes you feel horror, disgust, or great surprise. For example, if a rule or a crime shocks you, it can appal or appall you.
Parts of speech and grammar:
- In use, both forms are verbs.
- Example: The news appalled him.
- Nouns: news (singular, mass noun).
- Pronoun: him (object pronoun).
- Verb: appalled (past tense). The subject The news is singular, and appalled is the correct past tense form.
- Article: The is the definite article modifying news.
- Structure: Simple past tense sentence, active voice, correct subject-verb agreement.
Variants and forms:
- Base forms: appal (common British spelling) and appall (common American spelling).
- Third person singular present: appals / appalls.
- Present participle: appalling (same for both spellings).
- Past tense and past participle: appalled (same for both).
Origin (short): The verb comes from late Middle English and Old French roots meaning to frighten or amaze. Spelling evolved with regional preferences.
Spelling and regional differences (American vs British English)
Main point: The difference is mainly spelling, not meaning.
- British English: appal with one l is common.
- American English: appall with two ls is more common.
Why the two spellings? English often keeps different spellings in different regions. The double l in American English fits patterns like travel -> travelled/traveled where Americans simplify or keep certain doubles; in this case, Americans prefer -all while British writers may use -al. Both forms are understood in both regions, but style guides or publishers may prefer one.
Grammar checks across dialects:
- Example (British): The story appalled the readers. — appalled is past tense; correct for British use (many British writers also use appalled).
- Example (American): The story appalled the readers. — same sentence; Americans would more often write appalled too. Note: Past tense and participle forms are the same in both dialects, so there is little risk of tense error.
Parts of speech analysis in context:
- In sentences that use these verbs, watch the subject number. For example, The actions appal me (British present simple) — actions is plural, appal matches with plural subject by not taking -s. In third person singular, British would write The news appals me; American might write The news appalls me.
Spelling tip: When you are not sure, use appalled and appalling — these forms are safe and common everywhere.
Pronunciation
How to say them:
- Both appal and appall are usually pronounced /əˈpɔːl/ in British English and /əˈpɑːl/ or /əˈpɔːl/ in American English. The stress is on the second syllable: a-pal / a-pall.
- Example with IPA simplified: uh-PAWL.
Parts of speech note: Pronunciation does not change the parts of speech. Both forms are verbs and follow the same verb forms for tense and agreement.
Usage and context — simple examples with analysis
Past simple: The judge was appalled by the evidence.
- Structure: Passive voice.
- Nouns: judge, evidence
- Verb: was appalled — past simple passive. Was is past simple of be and agrees with judge (singular). Appalled is a past participle used in passive voice.
- Adjectives/Adverbs: none.
- Preposition: by introduces the agent of the passive.
- Comment: Passive voice is used here to focus on the judge’s feeling rather than the actor.
Present simple (British): They appal me with their rude talk.
- Nouns: They, talk (They is a pronoun acting as subject.)
- Verb: appal — present simple plural form; with plural subject They, no -s is added, which is correct.
- Object: me is object pronoun.
- Preposition: with shows cause.
- Structure check: Active voice, clear.
Present simple (American): Their behavior appalls the audience.
- Nouns: behavior (singular), audience
- Verb: appalls — third person singular present, with -s added; correct agreement.
- Structure: Active voice and clear.
Adjective form: It was an appalling scene.
- Noun: scene
- Adjective: appalling modifies scene.
- Verb: was — past simple linking verb; subject It is singular, so was is correct.
- Article: an before vowel sound appalling; correct.
Grammar note: Use appalling to describe nouns; use appalled to describe how a person feels.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
1. Spelling panic: Writers choose the wrong number of ls.
- Fix: Pick one dialect and use it consistently. If you write for an American audience or follow American style, use appall or appalls; for British, appal or appals is fine. Past forms appalled and appalling are safe.
2. Wrong verb form or tense: Using appall where appalled is needed.
- Example mistake:I am appall by this news.
- Error: Subject-verb and participle form. Am requires a present participle -ing or past participle with passive—correct would be I am appalled by this news.
- Fix: Use I am appalled (passive feeling) or This news appalls me (active).
3. Subject-verb disagreement: Forgetting -s in third person singular.
- Example mistake:The story appal the reader.
- Error: Third person singular The story needs appals or appalls.
- Fix: The story appalls the reader. or in British The story appals the reader. Both correct depending on dialect.
4. Mixing adjective and verb forms: Confusing appalling and appalled.
- Tip: Use appalling before a noun (an appalling act). Use appalled after be or with object pronouns (She was appalled or It appalled her).
5. Overuse or tone problems: Using appall for mild surprise. The verb is strong.
- Tip: Save appall for strong negative reactions. For mild surprise use surprise or shock.
Idiomatic expressions and collocations (simple)
Common collocations:
- appalled by — standard phrase: She was appalled by the images.
- Parts of speech: She (pronoun), was (verb), appalled (past participle), by (preposition), the images (noun phrase).
- appalling crime / appalling behaviour — adjective + noun collocation.
- Grammar: appalling modifies the noun; use article an if singular countable noun follows a vowel sound.
Register: The words sit in formal or strong register. They appear in news reports, essays, and formal complaints. They are less common in casual chat unless someone really wants to stress horror or disgust.
Practical tips and memory aids
- Pick a dialect and stay consistent. If you work for a British audience use appal/appals. If you write for an American audience use appall/appalls. Past forms are safe everywhere.
- Use the right form for feeling vs action.
- Feeling: I am appalled. (use appalled)
- Action: The video appalled the audience. (use verb form)
- Third person present: Add -s for singular subjects (American appalls, British often appals).
- He appalls the crowd. / He appals the crowd. (depending on dialect)
- Adjective vs participle:
- appalling modifies nouns: an appalling event.
- appalled describes a person’s feeling: She was appalled.
- Avoid overuse. Appall is strong. Use milder verbs like shock, surprise, upset when the reaction is small.
- Quick proofing rule: If you see am/is/was/were + word, check whether you need appalled (past participle) and not appalling. Example: They were appalled (correct), They were appalling (means they caused shock — different meaning).
Revision and rewrite for clarity, grammar, and style
To improve clarity, sentences were rewritten using simpler words and a clearer structure. Each verb was checked for correct tense and subject-verb agreement. Articles were placed close to the nouns they modify to avoid confusion. Long sentences were split when they carried more than one idea. Most sentences were kept in active voice for clarity, while passive voice was used when the focus was on the feeling or the object rather than the actor.
Before (example): The misuse of the verb can lead to confusion about whether the speaker is describing a feeling or an action and so one must be careful. After (improved): Misusing the verb causes confusion about feeling versus action. Be careful to use the correct form.
- Changes made: Broke long sentence into two, used simple verbs, clarified subjects, removed extra linking words.
Conclusion
Appal vs appall are two spellings of the same verb meaning to shock or disgust. The main difference is regional spelling: British writers often use appal and Americans often use appall. Verb forms like appalled and appalling are the same across dialects.
To write well, watch verb tense and subject-verb agreement, use articles correctly, and choose the adjective or participle that fits the sentence. Keep language simple and pick one spelling style for consistency. With practice and the tips above, you will avoid common mistakes and use these words with confidence.
FAQs
1. Are appal and appall the same word? Yes. They mean the same thing. The difference is spelling by region.
2. Which is British and which is American? Appal is common in British English. Appall is common in American English.
3. How do I form the present third person singular? Add -s: British appals, American appalls.
4. Is appalling an adjective? Yes. Appalling is an adjective (or present participle) used to describe nouns.
5. Can I use appall for mild surprise? No. Appall is strong. Use surprise or shock for mild cases.
8. Which form is safest for writing? Use appalled and appalling — they are correct in both dialects.
9. Do I ever use these words in casual speech? You can, but they sound formal or strong. Use them when the reaction is serious.
