alarming trend

USAGE SUMMARY

"alarming trend" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a pattern that is concerning or concerning news. For example, "New reports reveal an alarming trend of increasing crime rates in small towns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Animation shows alarming trend in the Arctic Ocean.

Vice

The play also continued an alarming trend.

The New York Times - Sports

Related: Animation Shows Alarming Trend in the Arctic Ocean.

Vice

So the team lost on Friday, and continued an alarming trend.

Los Angeles Times

"Recently, we have seen an alarmed — and I mean really a very highly alarmed and alarming trend," Trump said.

Vice

To mark an alarming trend?

The New Yorker

"However, one alarming trend is camper-to-camper violence.

The New York Times

"This is somewhat of an alarming trend," Mr. Carney said.

The New York Times

This is an alarming trend because obese children are likely to become obese adults.

Harvard University

"Before Citizens United, there was a very alarming trend in this area," she said.

The New York Times

For lobbyists — who live at the nexus of contributions and favors — it is an alarming trend.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "alarming trend", follow it with specific data or examples to support your claim and enhance credibility. For instance, instead of simply stating "There's an alarming trend in youth unemployment", provide statistics or contextual information to illustrate the extent of the problem.

Common error

Avoid using "alarming trend" as a standalone statement without providing concrete evidence or context. Overusing the phrase without backing it up with data or specific examples can weaken your argument and make your writing seem sensationalist rather than informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alarming trend" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a worrying or concerning development. It's often used to highlight issues that require attention or intervention, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alarming trend" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a worrying or concerning development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for highlighting issues that require attention. While the phrase is versatile, it’s important to provide specific examples and data to support its use, ensuring that it doesn’t come across as sensationalist. The phrase sees frequent use in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Alternatives such as "worrying development" or "concerning tendency" can provide nuanced variations in meaning, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worrying development

Replaces "alarming" with "worrying", focusing on the concern rather than the shock.

disturbing pattern

Substitutes "alarming" with "disturbing", highlighting the unsettling nature of the trend.

concerning tendency

Uses "concerning" instead of "alarming", softening the emotional impact while maintaining the sense of unease.

troubling sign

Shifts from a broad trend to a specific sign, indicating a problematic development.

ominous development

Replaces "alarming" with "ominous", suggesting a threat or future negative outcome.

problematic trend

Focuses directly on the problems associated with the trend, rather than the emotional response.

serious issue

Simplifies the phrase to a more general term for a significant problem.

negative development

Emphasizes the adverse nature of the trend, without necessarily implying alarm.

downward spiral

Suggests a worsening trend, typically implying a continuous and accelerating decline.

precarious situation

Highlights the instability and potential danger of the trend.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "alarming trend" in a sentence?

To effectively use "alarming trend", introduce the phrase, then immediately follow with specific data or examples that illustrate and validate the trend. For instance, "The alarming trend of decreasing bee populations threatens global agriculture" is more impactful when followed by statistics or causes.

What are some alternatives to "alarming trend"?

You can use alternatives like "worrying development", "disturbing pattern", or "concerning tendency" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "alarming trend" too dramatic for formal writing?

While "alarming trend" can be used in formal writing, consider your audience and the overall tone of your piece. In some cases, a more neutral phrase like "concerning tendency" or "problematic trend" might be more appropriate to maintain objectivity.

How does "alarming trend" differ from "negative development"?

"Alarming trend" emphasizes a sense of urgency and potential danger associated with a pattern, while "negative development" simply indicates an unfavorable change. The former is stronger and implies a need for immediate attention, while the latter is more general.