a disturbing quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a disturbing quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an amount of something that causes concern or unease. Example: "The report revealed a disturbing quantity of pollutants in the water supply, raising alarms among environmentalists."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Although a gear unit is a complex dynamic model, its movement is usually periodical; faults and damages represent a disturbing quantity or impulse.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thinking away mental illness has a similar success rate to thinking away diarrhea (Have you even tried not expelling disturbing quantities of liquid from your anus several times an hour when you had the shits?).

Vice

Thinking away mental illness has a similar success rate to thinking away diarrhoea ("Have you even tried not expelling disturbing quantities of liquid from your anus several times an hour?").

Vice

He currently lives in New York, where he buys used books from those street vendor guys in disturbing quantities.

Huffington Post

But there's a disturbing quality too.

BBC

A disturbing but necessary book.

The Economist

A disturbing episode became disgraceful.

The New York Times

That's a disturbing possibility.

The Economist

This is a disturbing trend.

The New York Times

It is a disturbing modernist epiphany.

The New Yorker

"And it's a disturbing film.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a disturbing quantity", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured and why it is considered disturbing. For example, "The report revealed "a disturbing quantity" of pollutants in the water supply, raising alarms among environmentalists".

Common error

Avoid using "a disturbing quantity" in casual conversation; opt for more common and direct alternatives like "a lot" or "too much" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a disturbing quantity" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "disturbing" modifies the noun "quantity". According to Ludwig AI, it describes an amount of something that causes concern or unease. See the provided example from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a disturbing quantity" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe an amount of something that causes concern or unease. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Though infrequent, it appears in contexts ranging from science to news. Alternatives include "an alarming amount" or "a concerning level". When writing, ensure the context clarifies what's being measured and why it is disturbing. Avoid overuse in informal settings. This analysis provides guidance for using "a disturbing quantity" effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unsettling quantity

Synonym of "a disturbing quantity"

a disquieting amount

Synonym of "a disturbing amount"

an alarming amount

Replaces "disturbing" with "alarming" to emphasize the cause for concern.

an unsettling amount

Replaces "disturbing" with "unsettling", indicating the quantity makes you feel uneasy.

a worrying quantity

Substitutes "disturbing" with "worrying", highlighting the anxiety caused by the amount.

a concerning amount

Replaces "disturbing" with "concerning", which is a more formal synonym.

a troubling quantity

Uses "troubling" in place of "disturbing" to suggest the quantity is a source of problems.

a substantial amount of concern

Replaces "disturbing" with "substantial amount of concern".

a significant cause for concern

Rephrases the idea to focus on the concern caused by a quantity, rather than directly describing the quantity itself.

an unsettling high volume

Emphasizes the high volume which causes an unsettling feeling.

FAQs

How to use "a disturbing quantity" in a sentence?

Use "a disturbing quantity" to describe an amount that causes worry or unease, as in "The study revealed "a disturbing quantity" of microplastics in the ocean".

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

You can use alternatives like "an alarming amount", "a worrying quantity", or "a concerning level depending on the context".

Which is correct, "a disturbing quantity" or "a disturbingly large quantity"?

Both are grammatically correct, but ""a disturbing quantity"" is more concise. "A disturbingly large quantity" emphasizes the size as the source of concern.

What's the difference between "a disturbing quantity" and "a concerning amount"?

"A disturbing quantity" can imply something is wrong or alarming, while "a concerning amount" simply suggests something warrants attention. The intensity of unease differs.