creating chaos

USAGE SUMMARY

"creating chaos" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a situation where a lot of disorder and confusion has been caused. For example: "The unexpected power cuts were creating chaos in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There will be this army, that army, creating chaos!

The Economist

Conservatives, however, accuse Mr. Roh of creating chaos.

The New York Times

"That is why they are creating chaos in the country".

The New York Times

Second, the guerrillas can win merely by creating chaos.

The New York Times

"Guerrilla warfare is about creating chaos," Mr. Ameri said.

The New York Times

Students have swarmed one of the city's busiest expressways, creating chaos.

The New York Times

Instead, he chastised the talk-radio hosts and indirectly Senator Blackburn for creating chaos.

The New York Times

He also understood the value of getting on base and creating chaos.

The New York Times - Sports

But a few ONLF members are still bent on creating chaos in the Somali region.

The Guardian

Crazy old Woody Woodpecker from the 1940s would play with the joystick, creating chaos for everyone.

The Guardian - Film

Maybe not as badly as ours has lost it, but nevertheless creating chaos and distress.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive subjects, be mindful of the negative connotations. Ensure that the context clearly justifies the use of the phrase, as it can imply a deliberate intention to cause disorder.

Common error

While "creating chaos" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse in formal or academic writing can make your tone seem overly dramatic. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "introducing complexity" or "generating challenges" to maintain a professional voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "creating chaos" functions as a verb phrase acting as a gerund complement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used to describe the act of causing disorder. Many examples in Ludwig shows its usage in news articles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "creating chaos" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of instigating disorder and confusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the register and intensity when using this phrase. For formal writing, alternatives like "generating turmoil" or "introducing instability" might be more appropriate. Overall, "creating chaos" is a powerful phrase when you want to describe an action which generated disruption or disorder.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fostering disorder

Highlights the act of actively promoting a lack of order.

generating turmoil

Emphasizes the production of a state of great disturbance or confusion.

inciting disruption

Focuses on instigating an interruption of normal processes.

sparking pandemonium

Suggests a sudden burst of wild and noisy confusion.

unleashing mayhem

Implies releasing a period of violent and damaging disorder.

provoking anarchy

Highlights instigating a state of lawlessness or political disorder.

stirring up trouble

Indicates causing problems or difficulties.

brewing a storm

Suggests building up to a situation of great unrest or conflict.

sowing discord

Emphasizes spreading disagreement and conflict.

setting the stage for bedlam

Implies preparing a scene for extreme confusion and noise.

FAQs

How can I use "creating chaos" in a sentence?

You can use "creating chaos" to describe situations where someone or something is causing disorder and confusion. For example: "The sudden policy change is "creating chaos" within the department."

What are some alternatives to "creating chaos"?

Some alternatives include "generating turmoil", "fostering disorder", or "inciting disruption". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "creating chaos" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "creating chaos" can sound dramatic. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "introducing instability" or "generating complexity" for a more neutral tone.

What's the difference between "creating chaos" and "creating confusion"?

"Creating chaos" implies a more extensive state of disorder than "creating confusion". Chaos involves widespread disarray, while confusion might refer to a more localized lack of understanding.