at an alarming level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at an alarming level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is concerning or troubling due to its severity or intensity. Example: "The pollution in the river has increased at an alarming level, prompting immediate action from environmental agencies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Physicians in the United States increasingly confront stress, burnout, and other serious symptoms at an alarming level.

EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing

The column discussed how the Bush administration and Congress put expected spending into emergency spending bills, all while the federal deficit is at an alarming level.

The New York Times

The exhibit reveals that the carbon dioxide concentration in artic ice cores is now measured at an alarming level of 410 ppm, now higher than any time in the last 800,000 years.

Harvard University

CONTEXT: Physicians in the United States increasingly confront stress, burnout, and other serious symptoms at an alarming level.

Duke University

The fraction of the elderly on the population pie is increasing at an alarming level for developed countries.

ROBOMECH Journal

"And it has increased at an alarming level in recent years".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The agreed facts show, at best, an alarming level of police indifference in relation to these vulnerable children, several of whom had drug and alcohol problems and who were from broken homes.

The Guardian

However, two years before, the success rate was twice that, at 26% – demonstrating an alarming level of poor Home Office decision-making, with so many rulings overturned by the courts.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Tribal violence at universities is reaching an alarming level," said Mohammad Nsour, a lawyer and associate professor at the faculty of law at the University of Jordan.

The New York Times

The intemperance with which Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia's prime minister, has greeted runs on some South-East Asian currencies (see article) suggests, on the contrary, an alarming level of economic illiteracy at the top.According to Dr Mahathir, Asian currencies have suffered at the hands of "rogue speculators wanting to destroy weak countries".

The Economist

Forty-four countries have a "serious" level of hunger, while eight have an "alarming" level.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at an alarming level" to emphasize the severity or urgency of a situation that is rapidly worsening. Ensure that the context clearly establishes what is increasing or deteriorating.

Common error

Avoid using "at an alarming level" when describing general dissatisfaction or mild concern. This phrase conveys a serious and escalating problem, not simply a preference or minor inconvenience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at an alarming level" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to describe the extent or degree to which something is happening. It typically indicates a negative or concerning trend, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

45%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at an alarming level" is a grammatically sound and effective way to express concern about a situation that is worsening rapidly. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. While not the most frequent phrase, it is commonly used in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes what is increasing or deteriorating and that the situation warrants serious concern. Alternatives such as "at a worrying rate" or "to a disturbing degree" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a worrying rate

Emphasizes the concern or worry associated with the rate of increase or occurrence.

at a concerning pace

Focuses on the speed of something happening and the unease it causes.

to a disturbing degree

Highlights the unsettling or troubling extent of something.

to a frightening extent

Emphasizes the fear or alarm caused by the magnitude of something.

at a critical threshold

Suggests a point where a situation is becoming dangerous or unstable.

at an unacceptable intensity

Indicates that the strength or degree of something has reached a point that cannot be tolerated.

at a crisis point

Implies that a situation has escalated to a point of crisis.

at an exponential growth

Highlights that the rate of change is not linear but increasing rapidly.

at an unprecedented scale

Indicates that something is happening on a scale never seen before.

at an unsustainable level

Suggests that the current rate or level cannot be maintained in the long term.

FAQs

How can I use "at an alarming level" in a sentence?

Use "at an alarming level" to describe a situation where something negative is increasing or worsening rapidly. For example: "Deforestation is occurring "at an alarming level" in the Amazon rainforest."

What are some alternatives to "at an alarming level"?

Alternatives include "at a worrying rate", "to a disturbing degree", or "at a concerning pace", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "at an alarming level" in formal writing?

Yes, "at an alarming level" is suitable for formal writing when accurately describing a serious and escalating issue. Its usage is common in academic, scientific, and news contexts.

What's the difference between "at an alarming level" and "at a high level"?

"At a high level" simply indicates a large quantity or degree, whereas "at an alarming level" implies that the quantity or degree is causing concern or poses a threat. For example, debt can be at a high level, but if it's growing rapidly, it's "at an alarming level".