acute alarm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acute alarm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a heightened or intense state of alertness or concern, often in response to a specific situation or event. Example: "The sudden noise triggered an acute alarm in her mind, prompting her to investigate the source immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Psychological stress was induced by acute alarm pheromone exposure, as described previously [28].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The need for action is even more acute after alarming tensions flared in recent days between Israel and two critical regional players — Egypt and Turkey.

The New York Times

Novotny is terrific as the wife and mother struggling to hold her family together as her husband is hauled over the coals, and Lindholm's juxtaposition of images of prone children, worlds apart, is both acute and alarming.

The Guardian - Film

In line with this, the sensitivity of zebrafish behavior to both acute (e.g., alarm pheromone, caffeine) and more chronic (e.g., strain-specific anxiety, repeated withdrawal) stressors demonstrated in this study (Fig. 3 7) supports the potential utility of adult zebrafish models to study both state and trait anxiety responses.

Plosone

The surveys, carried out in the provinces of Kasaï Occidental, Kasaï  Oriental and Equateur (West), Maniema (East), and Katanga (South east) by the National Nutrition Programme (PRONANUT), reveal alarming acute malnutrition rates among children under five and women.

Unicef

But if Thernstrom is a pain, she's acute -- sounding an alarm that causes the body (or her readership) to listen.

The New York Times

At the end of this session, participant number, group identity (acute, remitted and UHR), alarm volume, and delusion type were also entered onto the device via a password protected admin screen.

BMC Psychiatry

As a result, acute and clinically important alarms may have been underreported.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

A December 2011 nutrition survey conducted in the Hodeidah Governorate showed an alarming global acute malnutrition (GAM) rate of 32 per cent.

Unicef

This is similar except in this metaphor the alarm is the acute internal conviction that your life is in danger.

Vice

The idea that panic may proceed from a suffocation alarm disrupted by acute CO2 loading is perfectly consonant with such views.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acute alarm" to describe a sudden, intense feeling of alert or warning, often in response to an immediate threat or problem. Ensure the context clearly establishes the source and nature of the alarm.

Common error

Avoid using "acute alarm" to describe minor inconveniences or slight worries. This phrase is best reserved for situations that genuinely warrant a strong and immediate response.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acute alarm" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "acute" modifies the noun "alarm", indicating a sudden and intense state of alert. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "acute alarm" is a grammatically correct and semantically valid expression used to describe a heightened state of alertness or concern. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for use in written English. While relatively rare, its primary contexts include science, news and media, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the seriousness of the situation. Alternatives such as "heightened alert" or "intense warning" can be considered depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heightened alert

Focuses on the state of being alert rather than the cause.

intense warning

Emphasizes the warning aspect more strongly than the alarm itself.

urgent alert

Highlights the time-sensitive nature of the alarm.

critical warning

Emphasizes the severity or importance of the warning.

sharp anxiety

Shifts the focus to the feeling of anxiety associated with the alarm.

sudden apprehension

Highlights the unexpected nature and feeling of unease.

immediate concern

Focuses on the feeling of worry and the need for immediate attention.

heightened state of readiness

Describes a general state of preparedness rather than a specific alarm.

increased vigilance

Emphasizes the act of being watchful and alert.

elevated alert status

Formal way to indicate increased vigilance.

FAQs

How can I use "acute alarm" in a sentence?

You can use "acute alarm" to describe a sudden, intense feeling of alert or warning, for instance: "The unexpected bill triggered an "acute alarm", prompting her to review her finances immediately."

What can I say instead of "acute alarm"?

You can use alternatives like "heightened alert", "intense warning", or "urgent alert" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "acute alarm" in a formal setting?

Yes, "acute alarm" is appropriate for formal settings when describing serious or critical situations. However, ensure the tone and context warrant such a strong phrase.

What distinguishes "acute alarm" from "general concern"?

"Acute alarm" implies a sudden and intense feeling of alert related to an immediate threat. On the other hand, "general concern" suggests a milder, ongoing worry without necessarily indicating an imminent danger.