create disarray

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "create disarray" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of causing confusion or disorder in a situation or environment. Example: "The sudden change in management policies seemed to create disarray among the employees, leading to a decline in productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"This is a Main Street not Wall Street issue," the letter said, predicting that default would create "disarray" in the markets and have numerous unintended consequences.

The New York Times

Moreover, generating a new resource model might create disarray between geology and mine planning departments in the company, since they already have a resource model created by their own team.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Wagner entered the household and, as was his wont, created disarray.

The New Yorker

The PC business has been particularly hard for H.P. Last August, Léo Apotheker, then the chief executive, said he might sell the company's PC business, creating disarray with H.P.'s customers and sales force.

The New York Times - Tech

A program to arm up to 70,000 commercial pilots would only create more disarray.

The New York Times

And euro zone leaders are thought to be eager to have a solution in place for Spain, ahead of the June 17 elections in Greece that could create further disarray for the currency union.

The New York Times

A senior American intelligence official said it was clear from his reading of recent threat reports that "the political process was not going to go untouched," adding that militants almost surely would go to any length "to create political disarray".

The New York Times

Some African primates have also spoken openly about leaving the Anglican Communion, which would create great disarray in their provinces, as not all their bishops or clergy are willing to break with the communion over this issue, Episcopal bishops and experts said.

The New York Times

But other changes have created a disarray that many veteran educators say is unprecedented.

The New York Times

Corruption and impunity at every level of the state, but especially at the top, destroyed the army, undermined government institutions and persisted unchecked under the former president, whose ouster in a military coup last year created a disarray that the Islamists capitalized on to take over the north.

The New York Times

Within this complexity, we have created great disarray in the form of societal norms and lies, which allow us to achieve those.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "create disarray" when you want to emphasize the act of causing a state of disorder or confusion, often with unintended or negative consequences. It's suitable for formal writing when a more impactful term than "confuse" or "disrupt" is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "create disarray" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "make a mess" or "cause confusion" are often more appropriate for those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "create disarray" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun. It describes the action of bringing about a state of disorder or confusion. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "create disarray" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the action of causing disorder or confusion. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is relatively rare. It appears more commonly in news and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. When using the phrase, consider whether simpler alternatives like "cause chaos" or "generate confusion" might be more appropriate for informal settings. The expert rating of 4.4 reflects its grammatical correctness, reliable sources, and consistent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause chaos

Implies a more extreme form of disorder, suggesting complete confusion and lack of control.

generate confusion

Focuses on the mental state of being perplexed or unclear, rather than physical disorganization.

instigate disorder

Suggests a deliberate action to disrupt the established order.

trigger pandemonium

Emphasizes widespread and uncontrolled excitement or confusion.

stir up turmoil

Highlights the emotional and social unrest caused by the action.

foment disruption

Suggests actively promoting or encouraging disturbance.

unleash bedlam

Implies releasing a state of wild and uncontrolled confusion.

spark anarchy

Indicates the beginning of a state of lawlessness and absence of authority.

brew unrest

Suggests a gradual build-up of dissatisfaction and potential disturbance.

produce a mess

A more informal way to describe creating a disorganized or problematic situation.

FAQs

How can I use "create disarray" in a sentence?

You can use "create disarray" to describe an action that leads to disorder or confusion. For example: "The sudden policy change threatened to "create disarray" within the department".

What are some alternatives to "create disarray"?

Alternatives include "cause chaos", "generate confusion", or "instigate disorder", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "create disarray" or "cause disarray"?

"Create disarray" and "cause disarray" are both grammatically correct and very similar in meaning. The choice often depends on stylistic preference. Some may find "create" slightly more formal.

What is the difference between "create disarray" and "create confusion"?

"Create disarray" implies a more tangible state of disorder, whereas "create confusion" focuses more on a mental state of being perplexed. "Create disarray" might refer to physical mess, while "create confusion" implies misunderstanding.