alarming ease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alarming ease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is done with surprising or concerning simplicity. Example: "The hacker was able to breach the security system with alarming ease, raising serious concerns about the company's data protection measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

That is what New York's State Legislature and Gov. George Pataki do with alarming ease.

The New York Times

Self-reliance may be a celebrated American virtue, but "Bethany" reminds us that the distance between self-preservation and pure ruthlessness can be collapsed with alarming ease.

The New York Times

Flaming can be induced in some people with alarming ease.

The New York Times - Health

The central female character, young Kathie, drifts into prostitution with alarming ease.

The Guardian - Books

In a video from the Rossini Opera Festival, in Pesaro, Italy, Juan Diego Flórez sings it with alarming ease.

The New Yorker

FIRMS today fall from grace with the alarming ease of wayward bishops; few industries, however, have tumbled as far, as fast and on as many fronts as drugmakers.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Steve Nott, a salesman from south Wales, tried to raise the alarm about the ease of voicemail interception more than 12 years ago.

The Guardian

New Yorkers are rightly alarmed at the ease with which an inspector who was licensed to test buildings and construction sites for lead or asbestos risks got away with filing hundreds of false reports for at least a decade.

The New York Times

He said he was alarmed at the ease with which historical, visual and scientific evidence is manipulated to suit the overriding objective – enhancing academic reputations or boosting financial rewards in attributing paintings to particular masters.

The Guardian - Arts

But the dissenters did not find much comfort or a limiting principle in Justice O'Connor's approach; to the contrary, they expressed alarm at the ease with which the majority had relabeled the relevant categories in the case.

The New York Times

Soon after Mr. Obama came to office, newly installed officials grew increasingly alarmed by the ease with which Mr. Assad was using a network of front companies to import the precursors needed to make VX and sarin, deadly chemical poisons that are internationally banned, according to leaked diplomatic cables from WikiLeaks, the antisecrecy group.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "alarming ease" when you want to convey a sense of urgency or caution about a situation that should have been more difficult or complex.

Common error

Avoid using "alarming ease" in situations that are not inherently negative or concerning. The adjective "alarming" implies a sense of danger or worry, so using it in a neutral context can sound melodramatic or inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alarming ease" functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the manner in which an action is performed. It highlights the surprising and concerning simplicity with which something occurs. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alarming ease" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, that functions to emphasize the surprising and concerning simplicity of an event or action. Its primary purpose is to underscore this unexpected simplicity, often to raise concern or highlight a vulnerability. Predominantly found in neutral contexts, such as news and media, the phrase can also be used in professional setting. When using "alarming ease", be sure that it is used in negative situations and make the language fit for your reader in order to make sure that your reader is not feeling overwhelmed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disquieting ease

Replaces "alarming" with "disquieting", emphasizing the unsettling nature of the ease.

worrying ease

Substitutes "alarming" with "worrying", highlighting the concern caused by the simplicity.

frightening ease

Uses "frightening" instead of "alarming", stressing the fear-inducing aspect of the simplicity.

disturbing ease

Replaces "alarming" with "disturbing", focusing on the unsettling nature of the ease.

troubling ease

Substitutes "alarming" with "troubling", indicating the ease causes concern.

shocking simplicity

Uses "shocking" to underscore the unexpected and troubling aspect of the simplicity involved.

concerning simplicity

Highlights the simplicity involved raises concern, rather than alarm.

remarkable simplicity

Shifts the focus slightly to the simplicity itself, rather than the alarming aspect, while retaining a similar sense of surprise.

surprising facility

Emphasizes the unexpected skill or aptitude involved, rather than the alarming nature.

unexpected ease

Highlights the unexpected nature of the ease, minimizing the sense of alarm.

FAQs

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

"Alarming ease" describes how surprisingly simple or easy something was to accomplish, often implying a negative or concerning outcome. For example, "The hacker breached the system with alarming ease."

What can I say instead of "alarming ease"?

You can use alternatives like "disquieting ease", "worrying ease", or "frightening ease" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "alarming ease" imply?

"Alarming ease" typically implies that something was surprisingly simple to accomplish, especially when the outcome is negative or concerning. It suggests that a situation that should have been difficult or complex was, in fact, surprisingly easy, often highlighting a vulnerability or problem.

Is "alarming ease" formal or informal?

"Alarming ease" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but its use is most common in news and media reporting, where a neutral but concerned tone is often desired.