a cause of consternation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cause of consternation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes feelings of anxiety, dismay, or confusion. Example: "The sudden change in policy was a cause of consternation among the employees, leading to widespread uncertainty about their job security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

While a cause of consternation for first-time buyers, this improves the situation of existing homeowners seeking to switch lenders, since a more valuable home boosts your all-important level of equity and opens up a wider range of deals.

The Guardian - Money

Recent negotiations between the Americans and Bermuda's Premier, Ewart Brown, about accepting four former prisoners from Guantanamo Bay – a cause of consternation for the British – seems to indicate the pro-independence leader is keen to strengthen ties with his US neighbour.

Independent

That partly state-owned Royal Bank of Scotland is helping to finance the Kraft bid is also a cause of consternation among my constituents, though the reality is that if they were to withdraw another institution would step up in their place.

The Guardian - Opinion

While some of the larger mines provided separate eating areas for bal maidens, others obliged male and female workers to eat together, a cause of consternation among some observers concerned that exposure to the "coarse joking" and "rude behaviour" of men had a negative effect on the "modesty and delicacy" expected of women.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The flow of oil used to be a cause of celebration, not consternation.

The New Yorker

It is represented by a floppy disk, something that has been the cause of consternation among design aficionados.

The Economist

4. Geography seems to be another cause of consternation among pupils.

The Guardian

But, along with deposed skipper Kelly Brown, he fell out of favour with then-head coach Scott Johnson and present incumbent Vern Cotter, with his renewed exclusion the cause of consternation among supporters and pundits.

BBC

"There will be votes that are going to cause a lot of consternation".

The New York Times

This is why a troubled economy and job market can cause a lot of consternation even when they don't directly impact your present situation or daily routine.

The Guardian

Violent turns in the market, particularly when they result in lower prices, can cause a lot of consternation among investors.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cause of consternation" when you want to express that something is generating significant anxiety or dismay, often in a formal or slightly elevated style. It's particularly effective when the consternation is widespread or affects a group of people.

Common error

Avoid using "a cause of consternation" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "something to worry about" or "a concern" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cause of consternation" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something that instigates feelings of anxiety, dismay, or distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cause of consternation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that generates significant anxiety or dismay. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in formal written English. While relatively rare in overall usage, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources. When employing this phrase, consider the level of formality required and opt for simpler alternatives like "a source of worry" in casual contexts. By keeping these nuances in mind, you can effectively use "a cause of consternation" to express concern in a variety of settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a source of anxiety

Replaces "consternation" with "anxiety", indicating a state of worry and unease. It's a slightly more common and less formal alternative.

a reason for worry

Substitutes "consternation" with "worry", providing a more direct and simple way to express concern. It is a very common and easily understood alternative.

a reason for alarm

Substitutes "consternation" with "alarm", suggesting a sense of immediate danger or urgency. It implies a stronger reaction than mere consternation.

a basis for alarm

Similar to "a reason for alarm" but emphasizes the foundation or justification for the alarm. It implies a more reasoned or justified sense of worry.

a source of apprehension

Replaces "consternation" with "apprehension", indicating a feeling of anxiety about something that might happen in the future. It's more focused on anticipation.

a matter of concern

Uses "concern" instead of "consternation", conveying a sense of worry and importance. It's a more neutral and widely applicable alternative.

a ground for disquiet

Replaces "cause of consternation" with "ground for disquiet", suggesting a basis for unease and apprehension. It's a more formal and subtle expression.

an origin of disquiet

Replaces "cause" with "origin" and "consternation" with "disquiet", creating a more formal and slightly less common expression. It highlights the starting point of unease.

a trigger for unease

Uses "trigger for unease" rather than "cause of consternation", highlighting the initiation of a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

a wellspring of anxiety

Uses "wellspring" to describe the origin of anxiety. It's a more evocative and literary way of saying something causes significant anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "a cause of consternation" in a sentence?

You can use "a cause of consternation" to describe something that creates anxiety or dismay. For example: "The company's new policy was "a cause of consternation" among employees."

What's a less formal alternative to "a cause of consternation"?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "a source of worry", "a reason for concern", or "something to worry about".

Is "a cause for consternation" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a cause for consternation" is grammatically correct, though "of" is more commonly used than "for" in this context.

What's the difference between "a cause of consternation" and "a source of concern"?

While both phrases indicate something that creates worry, ""a cause of consternation"" suggests a higher degree of anxiety and dismay than "a source of concern".