a disturbing development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a disturbing development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that causes concern or unease. Example: "The recent rise in cyberattacks on critical infrastructure is a disturbing development that requires immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Instead, they stumbled upon a disturbing development.

The New York Times - Health

It's a disturbing development in the series, especially given the times we live in.

The Guardian - Film

For the 35-year-old Manning, of course, this must be a disturbing development.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a disturbing development for Frankie, whose hands sweat uncontrollably when he's around other people.

The New York Times

This is a disturbing development and it is disappointing the UK finds itself in this position".

The Guardian

"Within the government and within the international community is it quite a disturbing development," the diplomat said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

In this new book, ElBaradei reports on a deeply disturbing development -- a scramble by numerous nations, driven by fear and insecurity, to obtain nuclear weapons or to maintain their own privileged nuclear status.

Huffington Post

And the very fact of a rebel alliance is a deeply disturbing development for Khartoum, which has historically relied on very effective divide-and-rule tactics to keep opposition under control.

The Guardian

"To attempt to charge a fee more suited to a sports event is unheard of, and a very disturbing development," he added.

Huffington Post

"To shut the doors of the nation's governing party to this discussion is a deeply disturbing development.

Independent

Mr. Levin also called Japan's move to weaken the yen, that country's first intervention in the currency markets since 2004, "a deeply disturbing development".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a disturbing development", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being found disturbing and why. Providing specific details enhances the impact of your statement.

Common error

While "a disturbing development" is a valid phrase, avoid overusing it in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "a worrying trend" or "a concerning situation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a disturbing development" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces a specific situation or event that is considered concerning or troubling. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a disturbing development" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote a concerning situation or event. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide clear context about what makes the development disturbing to enhance its impact. While effective, it's good to diversify your writing by using alternatives like "a worrying trend" or "a concerning situation" to prevent overuse and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a worrying trend

Replaces 'disturbing' with 'worrying', focusing on the concern aspect of a development.

a concerning situation

Shifts the focus from the development itself to the broader situation, emphasizing concern.

a troubling occurrence

Substitutes 'disturbing' with 'troubling' and 'development' with 'occurrence', indicating a problematic event.

an alarming event

Replaces 'disturbing' with 'alarming' and 'development' with 'event', heightening the sense of urgency.

a regrettable incident

Emphasizes the negative outcome of the development, expressing regret.

a negative turn of events

Focuses on the change in circumstances, indicating a worsening situation.

a concerning evolution

Substitutes 'development' with 'evolution', which indicates the same concern but focuses more on gradual changes.

a disheartening episode

Emphasizes the discouraging nature of the development.

a worrying shift

Substitutes 'development' with 'shift', which focuses more on changes.

a troubling picture

Highlights how the development is creating a negative or worrying image.

FAQs

How can I use "a disturbing development" in a sentence?

You can use "a disturbing development" to introduce a situation that causes concern or unease. For example, "The increase in unemployment rates is "a disturbing development" for the economy".

What can I say instead of "a disturbing development"?

You can use alternatives like "a worrying trend", "a concerning situation", or "a troubling occurrence" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "a disturbing development" in formal writing?

Yes, "a disturbing development" is suitable for formal writing, especially in news reports and analytical pieces. However, ensure the tone remains objective and factual.

What makes something qualify as "a disturbing development"?

For something to be considered ""a disturbing development"", it needs to represent a change or event that raises concerns about potential negative consequences or risks.