agent of alarm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agent of alarm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that causes concern or fear, often in a specific context such as security or safety. Example: "The sudden drop in temperature served as an agent of alarm for the scientists studying climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was an unprepossessing agent of alarm.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As discussed by Bailey, reports of small numbers of fatalities or other serious illnesses associated with specific drugs have led to high levels of alarm and, as in the case of rosiglitazone, sometimes the withdrawal of agents from use.

Diabetes Care

She showed signs of alarm.

The New Yorker

A few flutters of alarm are understandable.

Independent

But the sense of alarm is widespread.

The New York Times - Health

At this, he gave evidence of alarm.

The New Yorker

She notices my look of alarm.

Independent

Yet there is no sign of alarm.

The New York Times

Mathematical analysis of traditional univariate alarm techniques indicates that the alarm setpoint, the dynamic alarm order, and the alarm algorithm are the three main elements of alarm annunciation and alarm clearance.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Improving alarm safety requires a systematic review of a hospital's alarm-based technologies and analysis of alarm management policies like alarm escalation strategies and staffing patterns.

Journal of Electrocardiology

Based on the characteristics of alarms and time-delay correlation of alarm occurrence, alarm similarity criteria are proposed to effectively identify repetitive and homologous alarms.

Journal of Process Control

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "agent of alarm" when you want to emphasize the role of something or someone in causing a sense of alert or worry, particularly in situations involving security or potential danger.

Common error

Avoid using "agent of alarm" in casual conversation. It is better suited for formal writing, reports or discussions about safety, security, or potential threats. In informal settings consider a simpler, more direct phrase, such as "cause for concern".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agent of alarm" functions as a noun phrase, where "agent" acts as the noun and "of alarm" modifies it. It indicates something or someone that initiates or triggers a feeling of alert or worry. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "agent of alarm" is a grammatically sound construction used to denote something or someone that triggers concern or fear. While not exceedingly common, it appears in diverse contexts like news reports, scientific papers, and formal communications. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in English. The phrase tends to be more appropriate in neutral to formal settings, and can be replaced by alternatives such as "cause for concern" or "source of anxiety" depending on the intended nuance. Therefore, its effectiveness lies in its precision and contextual appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause for concern

Replaces "agent" with "cause" and "alarm" with "concern", focusing on the reason for worry.

source of anxiety

Substitutes "agent" with "source" and "alarm" with "anxiety", emphasizing the feeling of unease.

reason for apprehension

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal expression indicating worry about potential future events.

trigger for panic

Focuses on the immediate and intense reaction caused by something.

warning sign

Highlights the role of indicating potential danger.

red flag

An idiomatic expression indicating a problem or danger.

early warning

Emphasizes the timing of the alert, indicating it comes before a potential problem escalates.

cause of disquiet

A more formal alternative, highlighting disturbance and lack of peace.

omen of danger

Implies a sign that foreshadows potential harm or risk.

portent of trouble

Similar to "omen of danger", suggesting an event that predicts future difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "agent of alarm" in a sentence?

Use "agent of alarm" to describe something that causes concern or signals danger. For example: "The sudden market crash was an "agent of alarm" for investors."

What are some alternatives to "agent of alarm"?

You can use alternatives such as "cause for concern", "source of anxiety", or "warning sign" depending on the specific context.

Is "agent of alarm" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "agent of alarm" is not as frequently used as simpler alternatives like "cause for concern". Its usage is more common in formal or technical contexts.

What's the difference between "agent of alarm" and "cause for alarm"?

"Agent of alarm" emphasizes the role or function of something in creating a sense of alert, while "cause for alarm" focuses on the reason or basis for the concern.