In equal disbelief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In equal disbelief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that two or more parties share the same level of disbelief regarding a situation or statement. Example: "When they heard the news, they looked at each other in equal disbelief, unable to comprehend what had just happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is Hiller's achievement: to hold belief and disbelief in equal tension; and it is also her method.

The Guardian - Arts

In disbelief, he called Bernie's cellphone.

The New York Times - Sports

Phelps looked on in disbelief.

The New York Times - Sports

"Second?" she mouthed, as if in disbelief.

Independent

Someone in the back snorted in disbelief.

Independent

I was in such disbelief.

Independent

She laughed in gleeful disbelief.

The New York Times

I was in utter disbelief.

Independent

Kennedy shook her head in irritated disbelief.

The New Yorker

They were in mad disbelief.

The New York Times

Believing in their disbelief perhaps.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "in equal disbelief", ensure the context clearly establishes that multiple parties are experiencing the same level of disbelief, and that this shared sentiment is significant to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "in equal disbelief" when the situation only involves one person or when the levels of disbelief between multiple parties are not actually equivalent. Ensure the emotion is genuinely shared and of similar intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in equal disbelief" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by describing the manner in which an action is performed. Although Ludwig does not provide exact examples, similar phrases are used to describe reactions to surprising or shocking events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in equal disbelief" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe a shared sentiment of incredulity or astonishment. Although it is not a very common phrase, as evidenced by its rare frequency, it is considered correct and usable according to Ludwig AI. It's suitable for neutral contexts, such as news reports or academic writing, to convey that multiple individuals experience the same level of disbelief. While alternatives like ""in mutual disbelief"" or ""with shared incredulity"" can be used, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates a shared and equivalent level of disbelief among the parties involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in mutual disbelief

Substitutes "equal" with "mutual" emphasizing the shared nature of the disbelief.

with the same level of disbelief

Replaces "equal" with "same level" to specify that the intensity is similar.

sharing the same disbelief

Reformulates the phrase to focus on the act of sharing the feeling.

with shared incredulity

Replaces "disbelief" with "incredulity" and maintains the sense of being together in the feeling.

with matching incredulity

Uses "matching" to indicate a similar level of incredulity among multiple parties.

in a state of shared disbelief

Rephrases to emphasize the condition or state of sharing disbelief.

equally incredulous

Simplifies the structure by using "incredulous" as an adjective.

with a common sense of disbelief

Emphasizes that disbelief is felt as a common sentiment.

both in utter disbelief

Adds emphasis with "utter" to heighten the sense of disbelief.

united in their disbelief

Highlights the unity in experiencing disbelief.

FAQs

How can "in equal disbelief" be used in a sentence?

You can use "in equal disbelief" to describe a situation where multiple individuals share the same level of incredulity. For example, "When they heard the unbelievable news, they stared at each other "in equal disbelief"".

What phrases are similar to "in equal disbelief"?

Similar phrases include "in mutual disbelief", "with shared incredulity", or "sharing the same disbelief". These alternatives convey a similar sense of shared incredulity or doubt.

Is it grammatically correct to say "in equal disbelief"?

Yes, "in equal disbelief" is grammatically correct. It functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, describing the manner in which an action is performed (e.g., "they stared"). Ludwig AI also indicates that it is correct and usable.

What is the nuance between "in equal disbelief" and "in total disbelief"?

"In equal disbelief" implies a shared sentiment of incredulity among multiple people. "In total disbelief", on the other hand, refers to the complete incredulity of a single person or group without necessarily implying that it is shared equally.