a substantial disruption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial disruption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant interruption or disturbance in a situation, event, or process. Example: "The storm caused a substantial disruption to the transportation system, leading to numerous delays and cancellations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

They agreed that the song caused a "substantial disruption" at the school.

Independent

The general rule for student speech comes from the 1969 ruling in Tinker v. Des Moines that schools can discipline on-campus speech only if it causes a "substantial disruption" of school activities.

The New Yorker

"There's a substantial disruption that's more than just the well pad itself".

Science Magazine

"Removing these listings would cause a substantial disruption to Airbnb's business and have a significant detrimental effect on Airbnb's goodwill and reputation among both hosts and guests, thus threatening irreparable injury to Airbnb's business".

TechCrunch

But students circulating petitions or holding signs aren't any rational person's idea of a substantial disruption.

Los Angeles Times

Different tooth germs are at different stages of development at any one time point and therefore a substantial disruption, e.g. a major environmental insult, over a defined chronological period may cause different defects in different teeth depending on the developmental stage of the individual tooth germ.

Archives of Oral Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

She went on to say that "it is believed that this posting also has a reasonable expectation that it will cause a material and/or substantial disruption of school activities and/or be constituted as a threat".

Huffington Post

Serious misconduct outside of the school is considered a school disciplinary offense when the misconduct or the scholar's continued presence at the school has or would have a significant detrimental effect on the school and/or has created or would create a risk of substantial disruption to the work of the school.

Huffington Post

Judge Livingston held that the district judge did not abuse her discretion in holding that the student's speech "foreseeably create[d] a risk of substantial disruption within the school environment", which is the precedent in the Second Circuit for when schools may regulate off-campus speech.

Wikipedia

In Canada, an infected produce worker in a grocery store triggered a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccination campaign of over 19,000 potentially exposed residents, causing substantial disruption to an urban community [ 5].

BMC Health Services Research

An acrimonious court prosecution, for example, could wreak "quite substantial disruption on a very fragile political system," said Shuja Nawaz, the director of the South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council in Washington.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial disruption", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately conveys the magnitude and impact of the interruption or disturbance. Be specific about what is being disrupted and the consequences of that disruption for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial disruption" when the impact is minor or easily resolved. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact when describing truly significant events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial disruption" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It identifies a significant interruption or disturbance. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in contexts ranging from school discipline to economic impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial disruption" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant interruption or disturbance across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media and scientific sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the disruption is indeed significant to avoid overstating the impact. Related phrases include "a significant disturbance" and "a major interruption". While considered grammatically correct by Ludwig, careful contextual application ensures its effectiveness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant interruption

Emphasizes the scale and importance of the interruption.

a significant disturbance

Focuses on the impact as a disturbance rather than a complete interruption.

a major interruption

Highlights the interruption aspect with a strong emphasis on scale.

a considerable setback

Emphasizes the negative impact on progress or goals.

a serious impediment

Highlights the hindering effect on progress or functionality.

a notable disturbance

Stresses the visibility and remarkability of the interruption.

a marked interruption

Similar to notable, emphasizes the distinct and noticeable nature of the disruption.

a considerable impediment

Implies hindrance that is worth consideration.

a fundamental change

Focuses on the result of something that caused a major change, often disruptive, to happen.

a major restructuring

Refers to a systematic shakeup that could cause disruption in the short run.

FAQs

How can I use "a substantial disruption" in a sentence?

Use "a substantial disruption" to describe a significant interruption or disturbance. For example, "The pandemic caused "a substantial disruption" to global supply chains."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial disruption"?

You can use alternatives such as "a significant disturbance", "a major interruption", or "a considerable setback" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a substantial disruption" in formal writing?

Yes, "a substantial disruption" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when describing significant events or changes. However, consider the audience and adjust the tone accordingly.

What distinguishes "a substantial disruption" from "a minor inconvenience"?

"A substantial disruption" implies a significant and impactful interruption, while "a minor inconvenience" refers to a small and easily managed issue. The choice depends on the scale and consequences of the event.