demanded in disbelief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "demanded in disbelief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong reaction of surprise or incredulity in response to something that has been said or done. Example: "When she heard the news, she demanded in disbelief, 'How could this happen?'"

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What's the wild turbot doing on here?!" he demands, brow furrowed in disbelief.

Forbes

the continuous alteration of the past, and in the long run probably demands a disbelief in the very existence of objective truth.

The New York Times

Opera has long demanded enormous suspension of disbelief from fans.

The New York Times - Arts

I was in disbelief.

Columbia University

Frank watches in disbelief.

The New York Times

Everybody stared in disbelief.

The New York Times

Passengers groaned in disbelief.

The Economist

We stood there in disbelief.

Columbia University

The students stared in disbelief.

The New York Times

"We're still in disbelief".

The New York Times

The students hooted in disbelief.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "demanded in disbelief" to convey a strong sense of incredulity combined with a forceful inquiry. Ensure the context clearly establishes the reason for the disbelief to maximize the phrase's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "demanded in disbelief" in situations that only require mild surprise or questioning. The phrase is best reserved for scenarios where there's a significant reason for strong incredulity and a need for clarification or explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "demanded in disbelief" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "demanded". It describes the manner in which the demand is made, emphasizing the speaker's incredulity while making the demand. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "demanded in disbelief" is grammatically correct and usable, as verified by Ludwig AI. It expresses strong incredulity while questioning something, but it's relatively infrequent. As such, it should be used judiciously in contexts where both disbelief and a forceful inquiry are appropriate. Ludwig suggests that while grammatically sound, the usage is limited and lacks clear examples in its database. Consider alternatives like "asked incredulously" for milder expressions of surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

said in utter disbelief

Adds emphasis to the disbelief, highlighting its completeness.

asked incredulously

Replaces "demanded" with a more neutral verb, softening the intensity of the reaction.

questioned with disbelief

Uses a different verb and preposition to convey a similar sense of incredulity.

exclaimed in disbelief

Emphasizes the sudden and vocal nature of the expression of disbelief.

stated with incredulity

Presents the disbelief as a more formal or detached observation.

retorted in disbelief

Implies a sharp, defensive response motivated by disbelief.

inquired in astonishment

Shifts the focus to the speaker's astonishment, rather than just disbelief.

cried out in disbelief

Suggests a more emotional and uncontrolled expression of disbelief.

whispered in disbelief

Contrasts with "demanded", indicating a quiet, almost stunned reaction.

thought in disbelief

Focuses on the internal experience of disbelief, rather than an outward expression.

FAQs

How can I use "demanded in disbelief" in a sentence?

The phrase "demanded in disbelief" is used to show someone is strongly questioning something due to their incredulity. For example, "When she heard the verdict, she "demanded in disbelief", 'How could they?'"

What's a less intense alternative to "demanded in disbelief"?

If you want to express disbelief with less intensity, you could use alternatives like "asked incredulously" or "questioned with disbelief", which convey surprise without the forceful tone.

Is it grammatically correct to say "demanded in disbelief"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. "Demanded" is a verb, and "in disbelief" is a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier, describing how the demanding was done.

What's the difference between "demanded in disbelief" and "said in disbelief"?

"Demanded in disbelief" implies a forceful questioning driven by strong incredulity. Whereas, "said in disbelief" simply indicates that something was said while feeling disbelieving, without necessarily implying a demand or forceful inquiry.