disruptive to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disruptive to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to refer to something that causes disturbance, confusion, or interruption. For example: "The sudden power outage was disruptive to our team's ability to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's disruptive to the child, it's sometimes disruptive to the family and it's disruptive to the schools".

The New York Times

This hasn't been disruptive to us.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's highly disruptive to children and families".

The New York Times

That's disruptive to our messaging revenue stream".

The New York Times

"It's always upsetting and disruptive to other people," she says.

The Guardian - Film

Night work inevitably is more disruptive to neighborhoods.

The New York Times

"Qwest is still intent on being disruptive to its competitors".

The New York Times

It would be too disruptive to the economy.

The New York Times

The illegal wildlife trade is deeply disruptive to our ecosystems.

The Guardian

Disruptive to Microsoft in particular, he could have added.

The Economist

First, it claims that voter registration drives are disruptive to the care of its patients.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disruptive to", ensure that the subject being disrupted is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The change was disruptive", specify "The change was disruptive to the project timeline".

Common error

While "disruptive to" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal documents. Vary your language with synonyms like "detrimental", "hindering", or "impeding" to maintain a professional tone and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disruptive to" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that causes interruption, disturbance, or negative impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "disruptive to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes something that causes disturbance or interruption. Predominantly found in news and media, and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral tone. While versatile, varying your language with synonyms like "detrimental" or "impeding" can enhance your writing. Remember to clearly identify what's being disrupted for clarity and, as with any phrase, avoid overuse. Based on the numerous examples identified by Ludwig, "disruptive to" is a reliable and effective way to communicate negative impacts or disturbances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detrimental to

Focuses more on the harmful or damaging aspect.

damaging to

Emphasizes the harm caused.

harmful to

Highlights the potential for injury or negative consequences.

prejudicial to

Implies bias or unfairness in the negative impact.

troublesome to

Suggests causing difficulty or problems.

disturbing to

Focuses on causing emotional or mental unease.

upsetting to

Emphasizes the emotional distress caused.

destructive to

Indicates significant damage or ruin.

impeding to

Highlights the obstruction or hindering of progress.

obstructive to

Focuses on the act of blocking or preventing progress.

FAQs

How can I use "disruptive to" in a sentence?

You can use "disruptive to" to describe something that interrupts or negatively impacts something else. For example, "The construction was "disruptive to" the residents" or "The new policy is "disruptive to" the current workflow".

What are some synonyms for "disruptive to"?

Some synonyms for "disruptive to" include "detrimental to", "harmful to", "damaging to", or "troublesome to" depending on the specific context.

Is "disruptive to" formal or informal?

"Disruptive to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider using more precise synonyms depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Which is correct, "disruptive to" or "disruptive for"?

"Disruptive to" is generally the preferred phrasing when indicating what is being affected. While "disruptive for" might occasionally be used, "disruptive to" is more common and grammatically sound in most contexts.