alarmingly serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alarmingly serious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or issue that is both concerning and significant, often implying urgency or a need for attention. Example: "The report revealed alarmingly serious flaws in the safety protocols that could endanger lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The liberal activists thought they were alarmingly serious.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There are many ailments and physical injuries throughout the book: in this instance the gentlemanly but alarmingly overweight William has serious cardiac problems and severe gout.

The New York Times - Books

I meet several of his highly serious and alarmingly articulate young PhD students.

The Guardian - Music

-- Binghamton University, one of the Northeast's top public colleges, has halted all fraternity and sorority pledging this spring after what it called an "alarmingly high number of serious hazing complaints".

The New York Times

On Wednesday night, officials at Binghamton University of the State University of New York, citing "an alarmingly high number of serious hazing complaints this spring," halted all recruiting and pledging for the rest of the semester while it investigates.

The New York Times

The People's Bank of China hopes this will keep money-market rates low to help spur growth.The IMF held its autumn meeting in Tokyo and warned of the "alarmingly high" risk of another serious global slowdown because of a lack of co-ordination among countries in tackling economic problems.

The Economist

Most alarmingly, some products may have serious adverse effects resulting in, for example, a deterioration of the liver function [ 19].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The BSE problem was becoming serious, numbers were rising alarmingly.

The Guardian

De Valois's brother, the photographer Gordon Anthony, visited Monte Carlo that year and was introduced to "a very small and alarmingly frail young girl with a serious and pale 'El Greco' face framed by sleek black hair.

The Guardian

Street cops, it appeared, had begun a passive-aggressive job slowdown; arrest rates dropped by fifty per cent even as serious-crime rates rose alarmingly in Over-the-Rhine and other predominantly black neighborhoods.

The New Yorker

Alarmingly, mild cognitive impairment, or M.C.I., can signal serious problems ahead: About half of people with this condition go on to a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or another dementia within five years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "alarmingly serious" when you want to emphasize that a situation is not only serious but also unexpectedly or surprisingly so. This highlights the alarming nature of the severity.

Common error

Avoid using "alarmingly" too frequently in your writing. While it can effectively emphasize seriousness, overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alarmingly serious" functions as an intensifier, modifying the adjective "serious" to amplify the degree of concern or urgency. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes situations that are not just serious, but unexpectedly or surprisingly so.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

34%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "alarmingly serious" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's used to describe situations that are not only serious but unexpectedly or surprisingly so, adding a layer of urgency or concern. While relatively rare, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. Alternative phrases like "worryingly grave" or "disturbingly critical" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. The key is to emphasize the unexpected severity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worryingly grave

Emphasizes the potential for negative consequences and the need for caution, highlighting a sense of anxiety.

disturbingly critical

Focuses on the unsettling nature of the situation and its importance, suggesting a cause for unease.

surprisingly severe

Highlights the unexpected intensity or seriousness of a situation, indicating a deviation from what was anticipated.

unexpectedly grave

Stresses the unanticipated nature and serious implications of the situation at hand.

shockingly perilous

Underscores the alarming and dangerous nature of the circumstances, implying a high level of risk.

frighteningly critical

Draws attention to the alarming and precarious state of affairs, indicating a sense of dread.

ominously significant

Implies that the situation carries a threatening portent, suggesting potential negative outcomes.

remarkably alarming

Focuses on how surprisingly disturbing the situation is, adding some unexpectedness to its nature.

disconcertingly significant

Focuses on how disturbing the situation is, emphasizing its unusual impact.

gravely concerning

Highlights the significant cause for concern and potential ramifications, expressing worry.

FAQs

How can I use "alarmingly serious" in a sentence?

You can use "alarmingly serious" to describe situations that are both grave and unexpectedly concerning. For instance, "The report revealed "alarmingly serious" flaws in the system."

What are some alternatives to "alarmingly serious"?

Alternatives include "worryingly grave", "disturbingly critical", or "surprisingly severe", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "alarmingly serious" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing when describing a situation that warrants significant concern and has unexpected implications. Ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the document.

Is "alarmingly serious" redundant; does "serious" already imply alarm?

While "serious" implies gravity, "alarmingly serious" emphasizes the unexpected or surprising nature of the severity, adding an extra layer of concern or urgency not necessarily present in just "serious".