a considerable stir

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable stir" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant amount of excitement, commotion, or disturbance caused by an event or situation. Example: "The announcement of the new policy created a considerable stir among the employees, leading to numerous discussions and debates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The revelations, denied by her, caused a considerable stir.

The Guardian

The names of the animals, Tuan-Tuan and Yuan-Yuan, meaning "reunion", caused a considerable stir in Taiwan.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then the Australian colonists are casting longing eyes on the fertile island, and a proposed colonising expedition recently made a considerable stir in this country.

Nature

The announcement that prospective Cambridge University students will be asked to sit a written test in their subject area from this autumn has caused a considerable stir.

Independent

Few people have yet read the book, but it has created a considerable stir in universities where he has talked about it.

The New York Times - Science

— President Obama is now three days into his Martha's Vineyard vacation, a visit that has caused a considerable stir on this tiny island.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The first linguist to study the family, Dr. Myrna Gopnik of McGill University in Montreal, reported in 1990 that affected members were unable to change the tense of verbs correctly, a finding that provoked considerable stir in the linguistic world because it implied the existence of genes for grammar.

The New York Times

"A real live automobile caused considerable stir on our streets last Monday afternoon," read the report in The Burns Times-Herald, which I dug out of the paper's archives with the help of Randy Parks, a sports reporter.

The New York Times - Travel

"A real live automobile caused considerable stir on our streets last Monday afternoon," read the report in The Burns Times-Herald, which I dug out of the paper's archives with the help of Randy Parks, a friendly sports reporter.

The New York Times - Travel

The singer admits there is a delicate balancing act for someone with his current profile - respected but not million-selling, although current album Standards has caused a considerable critical stir.

BBC

While the jury is still out on whether Microsoft's Kinect will change the world of gaming as we know it with its motion tracking interface, it's certainly created considerable stir in the creative coding community as we've probably reported ad nauseum by now.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a considerable stir" to describe situations where an event or piece of news generates significant interest, debate, or excitement. It implies more than just a passing interest but not necessarily a negative reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "a considerable stir" if the situation involves severe negative consequences or widespread panic. Opt for phrases that accurately reflect the gravity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable stir" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb (e.g., "caused a considerable stir"). It describes an event or situation that generates significant interest, excitement, or controversy. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a considerable stir" is a commonly used expression to describe a situation that has caused significant excitement, interest, or controversy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a noun phrase and is often used to emphasize the impact of an event. The phrase maintains a neutral register, fitting well within news, media, and general discussions. While alternatives such as "significant commotion" or "major upheaval" exist, "a considerable stir" provides a balanced expression for describing a notable reaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant commotion

Replaces 'stir' with 'commotion' emphasizing the disturbance caused.

major upheaval

Emphasizes the disruptive aspect of the stir.

substantial buzz

Highlights the excitement and attention generated.

notable excitement

Focuses on the positive aspect of 'stir', implying anticipation and enthusiasm.

marked controversy

Highlights the disagreement and debate aspect of the stir.

widespread reaction

Focuses on how many people are reacting to the trigger event.

significant impact

Emphasizes the important effect that the event is having.

remarkable response

Implies the reaction was unexpected or surprisingly large.

great sensation

Highlights the widespread public interest and excitement.

big fuss

Uses a more informal term to describe the stir.

FAQs

How can I use "a considerable stir" in a sentence?

You can use "a considerable stir" to describe events that cause significant excitement or controversy. For example, "The announcement caused "a considerable stir" in the community".

What are some alternatives to "a considerable stir"?

Alternatives include "significant commotion", "major upheaval", or "substantial buzz", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a considerable stir" formal or informal?

"A considerable stir" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both news reports and general discussions. More formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "significant controversy" or "marked reaction".

What kind of events usually cause "a considerable stir"?

Events that often cause "a considerable stir" include political announcements, controversial decisions, surprising discoveries, or significant cultural shifts.