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Prepositions after adjectives

Appalled by or appalled at?

Both appalled by and appalled at are standard. Appalled by often focuses on the cause, while appalled at often highlights the reaction to an action or situation.

Quick answer

Which preposition is used with appalled?

Both appalled by and appalled at are idiomatic. Use by for the thing causing shock or disgust, and at for a reaction to behaviour, events, or facts.

She was appalled by the conditions in the factory.
We were appalled at his rude comments.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
appalled by + cause

Naming what caused the shock

Use by to identify the person, event, or thing that caused the feeling.

The audience was appalled by the violent footage.
2
appalled at + behaviour/event

Reacting to actions or situations

Use at for strong reactions to behaviour, news, or circumstances.

I was appalled at the way they treated her.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
appalled by
She was appalled by the report.
Focuses on the source of shock or disgust.
appalled at
They were appalled at his behaviour.
Emphasises the reaction to an action or situation.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using an unrelated preposition

Appalled usually takes by or at.

✕ She was appalled of the decision. ✓ She was appalled by the decision.

Confusing cause and location

Do not use in to introduce the shocking thing.

✕ We were appalled in the conditions. ✓ We were appalled by the conditions.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They were appalled ___ the corruption scandal.
2. I was appalled ___ his lack of empathy.
3. She felt appalled ___ the images on the news.

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Frequently asked questions

Is appalled by more common than appalled at?

Both are standard and often interchangeable in modern English.

Can I say appalled with?

No. Appalled is normally followed by by or at.

Does appalled at sound more formal?

Not necessarily. Both forms are used in formal and informal English.

abhorrent-to-in-for-of, about "ablaze with" or "ablaze in"? "able for" or "able in"? "abreast of" or "abreast with"? "absent from" or "absent in"? absolute in, for, of, to or as? "absurd to", "absurd in" or "absurd for"? abundant in, with, of, on or for? "abusive to", "abusive in" or "abusive towards"? "academic in" or "academic at"? "acceptable to" or "acceptable for"? accessible to, by, for, from or in?

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