consternation upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consternation upon" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when describing a feeling of anxiety or dismay that arises in response to a specific event or situation. Example: "There was consternation upon hearing the unexpected news of the company's closure."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Considering his Everest-sized ego, this admission must have caused him great consternation upon reflection … Mr Kaplan and his assault on conducting leave many musicians angry, bewildered and befuddled".

The Guardian - Music

And the second act is about what happens when he writes a brilliant six-episode series and submits it, its excellence bringing greater frustration and consternation upon everyone concerned.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

As I expected, however, consternation and second thoughts began almost immediately upon landing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Entirely unaware of the consternation his procedure would cause, he focused especially upon the overworked and under-paid staff in the kitchens, laundries and back stairs, rather than celebrating the well-heeled glamour of the lobby, the elegant suites and the famous grill.

The Guardian

Commanders voiced consternation.

The New York Times

Upon being given the privilege of holding this rusty grail, I leaned over to the water cooler, filled it and drank, to the consternation of assembled staff members.

The New York Times

ONLOOKERS first stared in consternation.

The New York Times

That caused bitter consternation.

The Economist

Cue the consternation.

The New York Times

This caused much consternation.

The Guardian

There was consternation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and contemporary alternatives like "dismay at" or "concern regarding" to ensure clarity and resonance with a modern audience.

Common error

Avoid using "consternation upon" in informal or conversational writing. The phrase's formality may seem out of place and could be replaced with simpler terms like "worry" or "surprise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consternation upon" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, typically indicating the cause or trigger of the consternation. The examples in Ludwig show it being used to describe a reaction to an event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "consternation upon" expresses dismay or anxiety triggered by a specific event. While grammatically sound, as noted by Ludwig, it is relatively uncommon in modern usage. It appears mostly in news and media contexts, indicating a formal register. For clearer and more contemporary writing, alternatives such as "dismay at" or "concern regarding" might be more appropriate. Using simpler language ensures your message resonates effectively with a broader audience, avoiding any perception of being overly formal or stilted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dismay at

Replaces "consternation" with a more common synonym and uses a simpler preposition.

alarm over

Substitutes "consternation" with "alarm", indicating a sense of fear or worry.

concern regarding

Replaces "consternation" with "concern", softening the emotional intensity.

unease about

Indicates a feeling of discomfort or anxiety without being overly dramatic.

anxiety concerning

Emphasizes the anxious aspect of the situation or event.

disquietude regarding

Uses a more formal and literary term for unease.

apprehension about

Focuses on the anticipation of something unpleasant.

trepidation concerning

Indicates a stronger level of fear or nervousness.

agitation over

Suggests a state of disturbance or excitement, often negative.

perturbation about

Uses a more formal word for disturbance or unsettlement.

FAQs

What does "consternation upon" mean?

The phrase "consternation upon" refers to a feeling of anxiety or dismay that arises in response to a specific event or situation. It's similar to saying someone experienced alarm or distress when something happened.

How can I use "consternation upon" in a sentence?

You can use "consternation upon" to describe someone's reaction to unexpected or unwelcome news. For example: "There was consternation upon hearing the unexpected news of the company's closure."

What can I say instead of "consternation upon"?

You can use alternatives like "dismay at", "alarm over", or "concern regarding" depending on the context.

Is "consternation upon" a common phrase?

No, "consternation upon" is not a commonly used phrase. You might find that alternatives such as "dismay at" or "concern regarding" are more frequently used and easily understood.