alarming development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alarming development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that causes concern or worry. Example: "The recent rise in cyberattacks on critical infrastructure is an alarming development that requires immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Wagnerians were taking Wagner more seriously than he took himself — an alarming development.

The New Yorker

In the latest alarming development, the court has rejected a petition of recusal against its own chairman, who in 1993 was involved in a contentious enquiry into Jamaat's alleged liability for atrocities.

The New York Times

This time it was Arrieta's turn, perhaps a more alarming development considering the Pirates will spend a large portion of the next decade trying to keep up with Schwarber, Bryant and Russell as well as the Cardinals in the hyper-competitive NL Central.

The Guardian - Sport

Commission President Matt Johnson said LAPD officers have opened fire 45 times this year, compared with 23 instances during the same period in 2014, a trend he called an "alarming development".

Los Angeles Times

Because the specific types and amounts of agricultural inputs are locally variable with potential impact on distinct people, the few studies identified in this review hardly qualify for regional generalization but rather for raising additional attention to an alarming development.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

But to see this prized arm go down so early in his Yankee career is an alarming development, especially given the team's recent track record of failing to develop young pitchers.

The New Yorker

"It's a very alarming development".

The New York Times

This isn't necessarily an alarming development.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

8 July 2006 – The United Nations Humanitarian Agencies working in the occupied Palestinian territory, are alarmed by developments on the ground, which have seen innocent civilians, including children, killed, brought increased misery to hundreds of thousands of people and which will wreak far-reaching harm on Palestinian society.

Unicef

In recent years, the emergence of biofilm infections have generated an urgent alarm in research and development field in seeks for novel antimicrobials from ethnomedicinal plant.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The move was intended to prevent funding of terrorist groups operating in east Africa, but has sparked alarm among development experts by also cutting off an estimated $215m in annual remittances to Somali families from their relatives in the US.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alarming development", quantify the extent of the problem whenever possible to emphasize the severity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "alarming development" as a placeholder without providing specific details or context. Always explain why the development is alarming and what potential consequences it may have.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alarming development" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object. It describes a situation or event perceived as a cause for concern, worry, or fear. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alarming development" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote a concerning or worrying situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it's best to provide specific details to support why the development is alarming. Alternatives include "worrying trend" and "concerning situation", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worrying trend

Focuses more on the pattern or direction of events rather than a singular occurrence.

concerning situation

Emphasizes the state of affairs and the unease it provokes.

disturbing trend

Similar to "worrying trend" but carries a stronger sense of unease.

troubling situation

Highlights the problematic nature of the circumstances.

ominous sign

Suggests the development foreshadows potential negative outcomes.

disquieting event

Emphasizes the unsettling nature of a specific occurrence.

unsettling turn of events

Focuses on the change in circumstances and the discomfort it causes.

grave concern

Emphasizes the seriousness of the worry regarding the situation.

cause for alarm

Directly indicates a reason to be worried or frightened.

worrisome situation

Similar to "concerning situation" but with a slightly weaker connotation of anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "alarming development" in a sentence?

Use "alarming development" to describe a situation or event that is causing concern or worry. For instance, "The increase in cyberattacks is an "alarming development" for national security".

What phrases can I use instead of "alarming development"?

You can use alternatives such as "worrying trend", "concerning situation", or "disturbing trend depending on the context.

What makes a development "alarming"?

A development is considered "alarming" when it poses a significant threat, indicates a negative trend, or has the potential for serious consequences. It often suggests a situation that requires immediate attention or action.

Is "alarming development" formal or informal?

"Alarming development" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in news reports, academic papers, and professional communications due to its serious tone. You can also consider "worrisome situation" to sound less serious.