degree of mess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "degree of mess" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the extent or level of disorder or untidiness in a particular situation or environment. Example: "After the party, the degree of mess in the living room was overwhelming, with empty bottles and scattered decorations everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

You can reduce the impact but when the manure really hits the fan, a degree of mess is unfortunately inevitable.

The Guardian

I have many times pointed out that the degree of mess inherited by the coalition was much exaggerated.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Watching it last autumn, I found High-Rise both formally imposing and politically safe: a calculated vision of chaos, scored and designed to the nth degree of hot-mess splendour, yet seemingly at pains to distance itself from a more contemporary application of Ballard's thesis.

The Guardian - Film

Good docs appear to wrest a degree of coherence from the contingent mess of life, but when we finally leave them we must be aware that the ordering was wholly provisional.

The Guardian - Film

It's to do with having kids, to a degree, and watching them grow and wondering what sort of mess we're going to leave them with".

The Guardian - Music

The following phrases were articulated by many (11/12) and reflected their degree of distress: 'I was a complete mess'; 'I was feeling suicidal'veryery, very weepy'mentallylly and physically shattered'feelinging very, very down'; 'I am in a mental cocoon, in a cage, in a bubble'; 'I was at a low point, in a black hole'.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

There is still time for sense to prevail: the ABS should delay census day for a couple of weeks, fix this mess and restore the high degree of confidence and trust that it has earned over many years.

The Guardian - Opinion

This creates lots of mess.

The Guardian

Pipes frozen, all kinds of mess".

The New Yorker

He added that he finds it difficult to imagine how the world can prevent 1.5 degrees of warming "without messing up the global economy, including people in developing countries".

Los Angeles Times

While the degree of poverty was criticised by some critics, Wright felt that the "mess adds to the drama of the predicament that the family were in", and helps contrast the Bennets, Darcys, and Bingleys.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation, use "degree of mess" to effectively convey the extent of untidiness or disorganization. Consider the context to determine if a more specific term, like "level of chaos" or "extent of disorder", might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "degree of mess" when referring to abstract situations that lack physical disarray. It is more suitable for tangible disorganization than for complex, intangible problems.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "degree of mess" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a preposition or as a complement. It describes the extent or intensity of disorder or untidiness. Ludwig AI confirms that this is acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "degree of mess" effectively conveys the extent of disorganization or untidiness. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While grammatically sound, its usage is relatively rare. Alternative phrases like "level of disarray" or "extent of disorder" offer similar meanings and may be suitable depending on the specific context. The phrase is applicable in various writing registers, from neutral news articles to scientific papers; though in certain contexts, more descriptive terms may be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

level of disarray

Focuses on the state of being disorganized or disordered, emphasizing a lack of arrangement.

extent of disorder

Highlights the scope or magnitude of the lack of order.

amount of chaos

Emphasizes the chaotic nature of the situation, suggesting a high degree of unpredictability and confusion.

magnitude of the mess

Emphasizes the size or importance of the untidy situation.

severity of the clutter

Highlights the seriousness or intensity of the cluttered environment.

depth of the disorganization

Focuses on how profound or ingrained the lack of organization is.

scale of the muddle

Indicates the range or extent of the confused or disordered state.

scope of the shambles

Highlights the widespread and ruinous nature of the disarray.

grade of untidiness

Focuses on the classification of the level of being untidy.

quantum of dishevelment

Emphasizes a state of being untidy; rumpled; disordered.

FAQs

How can I use "degree of mess" in a sentence?

You can use "degree of mess" to describe the extent of untidiness in a specific location or situation. For example: "After the children played, the degree of mess in the living room was considerable."

What are some alternatives to "degree of mess"?

Alternatives include "level of disarray", "extent of disorder", or "amount of chaos". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "degree of mess" formal or informal?

"Degree of mess" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise or descriptive terms might be preferred in formal writing.

How does "degree of mess" differ from "state of chaos"?

"Degree of mess" typically refers to physical disarray, while "state of chaos" implies a broader sense of disorder, unpredictability, and confusion that can apply to abstract situations as well.