a disturbing level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a disturbing level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a degree or extent of something that causes concern or discomfort. Example: "The report revealed a disturbing level of pollution in the river, prompting immediate action from environmental agencies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The study shows a disturbing level of tolerance for abuse of prisoners in some situations.

The Washington Post

Within the city government, however, there appears to have been a disturbing level of cynicism about race and crime.

The New Yorker

Pin numbers are the four-digit keys to our lives, of which banks already have a disturbing level of understanding.

The Guardian - Money

"But of late, we have started to see a trend that has brought it back to a disturbing level," he said.

The New York Times

Doing so displays not just a disturbing level of cynicism and bigotry, but a shameful lack of respect for the American justice system and the US constitution.

The Guardian - Opinion

Trial lawyers and consumer advocates, meanwhile, believe that the important number is what all sides agree is a disturbing level of malpractice, and they are lobbying for more stringent state policing of the medical profession.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

An interactive ad for an animal rights organization has taken the iPad to a new, disturbing level.

Huffington Post

State editorial attacks Obama with racial slurs - The North Korean state news agency KCNA took its anti-US rhetoric to a higher, more disturbing level last Friday, as it published an English-language editorial calling President Barack Obama a "wicked black monkey".

BBC

And the challenge of his statement has continued to resonate with me in each recent brainstorm session and, perhaps to an even more disturbing level, while watching the recent Republican debates and last night's the State of the Union.

Forbes

Adam Baron, a visiting fellow on the European Council on Foreign Relations, told The Independent last night: "This threatens to put Yemen on a whole new very disturbing level of sectarian violence.

Independent

But Russell was reaching a new, even more disturbing level of creepiness.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a disturbing level" to clearly convey a sense of unease or alarm about the degree or intensity of something. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to highlight the negative implications of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a disturbing level" when describing situations that are not inherently negative or alarming. Choose more neutral language to maintain objectivity and avoid unnecessary sensationalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a disturbing level" functions as a noun phrase acting as an adjective, typically modifying another noun to describe the degree or extent of something negative or concerning. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a disturbing level" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that causes concern or alarm. As Ludwig confirms, it is generally employed in news and media, science, and formal business contexts to express unease about the magnitude or intensity of a situation. While versatile, it is best used when the context warrants a sense of negativity or alarm. Alternatives like "an alarming degree" or "a concerning amount" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When you want to clearly convey a sense of unease or alarm about a situation, this is a reliable phrase to use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an alarming degree

Emphasizes the worry or fear caused by the extent of something.

a concerning amount

Focuses on the quantity being worrisome.

a worrying extent

Highlights the anxiety related to the scale or scope of something.

a troubling magnitude

Stresses the significance of the problem.

a disconcerting quantity

Underlines the unsettling nature of the amount.

a regrettable measure

Suggests something is at an undesirable level.

an unacceptable amount

Highlights that the quantity exceeds acceptable limits.

a shocking quantity

Emphasizes the unexpected and upsetting aspect of the amount.

a significant degree

Underlines the scale of something but less emotive.

a marked extent

Suggests that something is noticeable but again with less strong emotion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a disturbing level" to describe something that is concerning or alarming. For example, "The report revealed "a disturbing level" of corruption within the organization".

What are some alternatives to "a disturbing level"?

Alternatives include "an alarming degree", "a concerning amount", or "a worrying extent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a disturbing level" formal or informal?

"A disturbing level" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's essential to consider the tone of your writing. In highly formal settings, you might opt for a more restrained alternative.

What makes "a disturbing level" different from "a significant level"?

"A disturbing level" implies a negative connotation, suggesting unease or alarm. "A significant level", on the other hand, simply indicates that something is noteworthy or substantial, without necessarily being negative.