A lot of disarray

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A lot of disarray" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is chaotic or lacking order. Example: "After the party, there was a lot of disarray in the living room, with furniture out of place and decorations scattered everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Goldberg chatted with the owner Carl Lindner after the trade evaporated and claimed "there's a lot of disarray" in how Lindner's baseball executives are operating.

The New York Times - Sports

"There is a lot of disarray," said Ron Wainshal, chief executive of Aircastle, a leasing company with a fleet of around 130 commercial jets.

The New York Times

"There is a lot of disarray," said Ron Wainshal, chief executive of Aircastle, a leasing company with a fleet of about 130 commercial jets.

The New York Times

I would watch people in meetings sit and talk in a lot of disarray and never get anywhere, and I just found that I would naturally take charge and try to get to a place where there was a solution.

The New York Times

Which I guess is more typical than one would like to believe; life on the road in the logging camps and so forth, there's a lot of disarray.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We're now getting a lot of "Romney in disarray" stories; we're also hearing that the solution is for Romney to go out there and sell his five-point plan for the economy.

The New York Times

The uncertainty underscores the fact that the Supreme Court's hesitancy has left marriage law in disarray, and given a lot of work to the legal establishment.

The New York Times

Especially with the economy in disarray, it takes a lot of dedication to make deals happen.

Huffington Post

He said: "Many officers have contacted me in desperate straits because they think they're going to be losing thousands, their plans have been thrown into complete disarray and it's caused a lot of stress.

BBC

"I think that the Flynn issue obviously is something that shows that in many respects this administration is in disarray and they've got a lot of work to do," said McCain.

Huffington Post

He has a lot of work to do with a team that is in disarray after the resignation (mercy killing?) of Coach Bruce Coslet.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "A lot of disarray", ensure the context clearly indicates what is disorganized or chaotic. For example, specify whether it refers to physical spaces, organizational structures, or abstract situations.

Common error

Avoid using "A lot of disarray" without providing specific details about the nature of the disarray. Instead of saying "There was a lot of disarray", specify what caused it: "The project was in a lot of disarray due to poor planning."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "A lot of disarray" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object to describe the condition or state of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "A lot of disarray" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe significant disorder or chaos, according to Ludwig. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register. While it effectively conveys confusion or lack of organization, being specific about the source and nature of the disarray enhances clarity. Alternatives like "considerable chaos" or "significant disorder" can provide a more formal tone when needed. Ludwig's examples provide valuable context for appropriate usage, ensuring effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Considerable chaos

Focuses more on the chaotic nature of the situation, emphasizing the lack of order.

Significant disorder

Emphasizes the lack of proper arrangement and organization.

Great confusion

Highlights the state of being bewildered or unclear, shifting the focus from physical to mental disarray.

Substantial mess

Refers to a disorganized or dirty state, typically in a physical sense.

Utter pandemonium

Implies a scene of wild and noisy confusion, often involving a large group of people.

Widespread disruption

Highlights the disturbance or interruption of normal activities or processes.

Marked disorganization

Emphasizes the lack of structure and systematic arrangement.

Major upheaval

Suggests a sudden and significant disruption or change.

Total lack of order

Directly states the absence of any structured arrangement or system.

Extreme turbulence

Implies a state of instability and disturbance, often in a metaphorical sense.

FAQs

How can I use "A lot of disarray" in a sentence?

You can use "A lot of disarray" to describe a state of confusion, disorder, or chaos. For example: "After the storm, there was "a lot of disarray" in the streets."

What's a formal alternative to "A lot of disarray"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "considerable chaos", "significant disorder", or "marked disorganization" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is "A lot of disarray" grammatically correct?

Yes, "A lot of disarray" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a state of disorder or confusion. It's suitable for both spoken and written English, though the formality may vary based on the context.

What's the difference between "A lot of disarray" and "a state of disarray"?

"A lot of disarray" emphasizes the extent or degree of disorder, while "a state of disarray" refers more to the condition itself. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the amount of chaos or the existing condition of disorder.