be disturbed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be disturbed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of discomfort or unease caused by something. Example: "She seemed to be disturbed by the loud noises coming from the construction site next door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The market will be disturbed by this".

The New York Times

It was ridiculous to be disturbed by them.

The New Yorker

Much that Americans might well be disturbed by continues to be swept under the rug.

The New York Times

Cassini's orbit around Saturn will not be disturbed by the plume penetration, scientists asserted.

The Guardian

"You won't be disturbed by this?" one said before pulling them out of a folder.

The New York Times - Magazine

But my chests were too naïve to be disturbed by design.

The New York Times - Style

The happy state of affairs, this organic evolution, could only be disturbed by popular protest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Readers may be disturbed by "Baby ER," but they'll have trouble looking away.

The New York Times - Books

Harkins did not seem to be disturbed by the bad-news side of Vann's reporting.

The New Yorker

So what else is likely to be disturbed by the iPhone and other smartphones?

The New York Times

According to Mr. Purcell, Morgan Stanley and its clients should not be disturbed by the firm's activities during the bubble.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be disturbed by", ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the disturbance and the resulting emotional or physical reaction. For example, "Residents were disturbed by the construction noise."

Common error

Avoid using "be disturbed by" when a milder term like "annoyed" or "slightly bothered" is more appropriate. Overstating the level of disturbance can make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be disturbed by" functions as a passive verb phrase followed by a preposition. It typically describes a state of unease, annoyance, or disruption caused by an external factor. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its role in expressing a negative reaction to something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be disturbed by" is a common and grammatically sound way to express feelings of unease, annoyance, or disruption. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across different contexts, including news, scientific writing, and general communication. While versatile, it's important to consider the intensity of the emotion and use it appropriately, avoiding overstatement. Alternatives like "be troubled by" or "be unsettled by" can offer nuanced variations, and the phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be troubled by

Focuses on emotional worry or concern, rather than a general disturbance.

be bothered by

Implies a feeling of annoyance or irritation, which is a milder form of disturbance.

be unsettled by

Suggests a lack of peace or stability, emphasizing the disquieting aspect.

be concerned by

Highlights a sense of worry or apprehension about something.

be alarmed by

Implies a sense of fear or panic in response to something.

be disrupted by

Focuses on the interruption of a process or activity rather than an emotional state.

be affected by

Describes a broader influence or impact, not necessarily negative or disturbing.

be influenced by

Highlights the impact on opinions or decisions rather than a feeling of unease.

be disrupted by

Emphasizes the interruption or obstruction caused by something.

be undermined by

Focuses on the weakening or damaging effect of something.

FAQs

How can I use "be disturbed by" in a sentence?

Use "be disturbed by" to express feeling uneasy or disrupted by something. For example, "I was disturbed by the news" or "The animals were disturbed by the loud noise".

What can I say instead of "be disturbed by"?

Alternatives include "be troubled by", "be bothered by", or "be unsettled by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "be disturbed by" or "being disturbed by"?

Both are correct, but they have different grammatical roles. "Be disturbed by" is often used in passive voice constructions (e.g., "I was disturbed by the noise"), while "being disturbed by" can function as a gerund phrase (e.g., "Being disturbed by the noise, I couldn't focus").

What's the difference between "be disturbed by" and "be distracted by"?

"Be disturbed by" implies a negative emotional or physical reaction, while "be distracted by" simply means your attention was diverted. For example, you might be disturbed by bad news, but distracted by a shiny object.