alarming rise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alarming rise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant and concerning increase in something, such as statistics or trends. Example: "The alarming rise in pollution levels has prompted local authorities to take immediate action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But almost every country has also seen an alarming rise of anti-immigrant political parties.

The New York Times

Investors in the '70s were stunned by an alarming rise in volatility.

The New York Times - Magazine

Italy, Spain, Greece and Ireland all face an alarming rise in their debt levels.

The New York Times

Diane Abbott said the figures reflected "the alarming rise of far-right activity across the country".

The Guardian

Furthermore, he has failed to take any meaningful action to tackle the alarming rise in Islamophobia.

The Guardian - Opinion

This, he claims, reflects an alarming rise in the number of people hooked on cannabis.

The New York Times

(This isn't the place to point out America's alarming rise in obesity).

The New York Times - Books

But their increasing frequency points to an alarming rise in violence between warring cartels.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

This came up in January, when officials noticed an alarming rise in reports of rape last year.

Vice

In "Hunting the Nightmare Bacteria," on "Frontline" at 10, David Hoffman investigates the alarming rise of untreatable infections.

The New York Times - Arts

Already disillusionment with the establishment has lead to an alarming rise in the far right.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alarming rise", ensure you provide specific data or evidence to support the claim, enhancing credibility and impact. For instance, instead of just saying "there has been an alarming rise in unemployment," specify "there has been an alarming rise in unemployment, with figures increasing by 15% in the last quarter".

Common error

Avoid using "alarming rise" as a generic descriptor. Always clarify what is rising and why it is alarming. Without specific context, the phrase can lose its impact and appear hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alarming rise" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a concerning increase, highlighting the negative implications of the upward trend. As Ludwig AI confirms, its most frequent use is in describing a problematic statistic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alarming rise" is a frequently used noun phrase that describes a significant and concerning increase, often prompting action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and most commonly found in News & Media and Science. When using "alarming rise", provide specific evidence to support your claim and avoid overuse without context. Alternatives include "worrisome increase" and "concerning surge". Remember that authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, indicating its acceptability in formal and professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worrisome increase

Replaces "alarming" with "worrisome" and "rise" with "increase", maintaining the negative connotation but softening the tone slightly.

concerning surge

Substitutes "alarming" with "concerning" and "rise" with "surge", emphasizing a sudden and potentially destabilizing increase.

disturbing escalation

Replaces "alarming rise" with a more formal and intense term "disturbing escalation", suggesting a gradual but worrisome progression.

troubling climb

Replaces "alarming" with "troubling" and "rise" with "climb", conveying a concerning upward trend.

worrying trend

Focuses on the pattern of increase over time, which could be potentially negative.

significant uptick

Uses "significant uptick" to convey a notable increase, although it may not always carry the same sense of urgency or alarm.

sharp upturn

Similar to significant uptick but the presence of the word "sharp" makes the connotation more concerning.

marked growth

Indicates a noticeable increase, but lacks the negative connotation of "alarming", focusing instead on the sheer magnitude of the increase.

noticeable elevation

Elevation highlights that something has grown, which may or may not be negative, noticeable highlights that it has been recognized.

rapid expansion

Highlights the speed of the increase, without necessarily implying negative consequences.

FAQs

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

Use "alarming rise" to describe a significant and concerning increase. For example, "The alarming rise in cybercrime has prompted new security measures."

What can I say instead of "alarming rise"?

You can use alternatives like "worrisome increase", "concerning surge", or "disturbing escalation depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "alarming rise"?

While "rise" inherently implies an increase, "alarming" adds emphasis to the concerning nature of that increase. The combination is generally not considered redundant because "alarming" qualifies the nature of the rise.

Which is more impactful: "alarming rise" or "significant increase"?

"Alarming rise" carries a stronger negative connotation, indicating that the increase is not only significant but also a cause for concern. "Significant increase" is more neutral, simply highlighting the magnitude of the change.