disturb

USAGE SUMMARY

'disturb' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that interrupts or upsets the normal environment. Example: The loud noise from the construction site disturbed the peace of the quiet residential area.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would be better all round, Paris reckons, not to disturb Europe's present fragile equilibrium by opening Pandora's box.

The Guardian

Film music "shouldn't disturb the audience too much", he said, noting that he sometimes avoids making his scores "too complicated".

The Guardian - Music

Trying not to disturb this beautiful trance, I truly hoped that I would never wake up".

The Guardian - Arts

Do not disturb it too much or it will go grainy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They had just negotiated one Champions League qualifying round and seen off a string of helpless or hapless Celtic managers - Liam Brady, Lou Macari and Tommy Burns - with Wim Jansen barely threatening to disturb the peace in Smith's blue heaven.

The Guardian - Sport

Don't tease it, don't disturb it and it won't attack you".

The Guardian

In dozens of seats it could disturb the best laid plans of the Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems, and throw the predictions of the pundits way off.

The Guardian

Don't get him up in the night – all that does is disturb his sleep.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That soon, the Do Not Disturb signs dangling from the winter sarcophaguses of the upper class will detach and greet the budding city anew.

The Guardian - Opinion

I want something a little bit happier on my television, something gentle that's not going to disturb and worry me".

The Guardian

It won't take many hiccups in the economy to disturb Hockey's strong revenue projections and with it the hopes for a smooth path back to surplus.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disturb", consider the degree of impact you want to convey. Choose synonyms like "interrupt", "disrupt", or "bother" for nuances in meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "disturb" when referring to moving physical objects slightly; instead, consider verbs like "nudge", "shift", or "adjust".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disturb" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes the action of interrupting or upsetting a state, process, or person. For example, "The noise disturbed the peace."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disturb" is a versatile and commonly used transitive verb meaning to interrupt or upset. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts. Its usage spans from formal business settings to news reports, highlighting its neutrality. Understanding the nuances of "disturb" and its related phrases allows for precise communication, ensuring the intended level of disruption is conveyed. Remember to consider the degree of impact you want to make. Choose synonyms such as "interrupt", "disrupt", or "bother" for more specific meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interrupt

Focuses on breaking the continuity of an action or event.

disrupt

Implies a more significant disturbance, often altering the normal course of things.

bother

Suggests a mild form of annoyance or inconvenience.

trouble

Indicates causing worry or concern.

upset

Implies causing emotional distress or agitation.

agitate

Focuses on stirring up or provoking unrest.

discompose

Implies a loss of composure or calmness.

perturb

Suggests a more formal or literary term for disturbing someone's peace of mind.

vex

Implies causing irritation or annoyance.

intrude

Focuses on entering without permission or welcome, disrupting privacy or peace.

FAQs

How can I use "disturb" in a sentence?

You can use "disturb" to describe interrupting someone's peace or concentration, for example: "Please don't "disturb" me while I'm working."

What words can I use instead of "disturb"?

Alternatives to "disturb" include "interrupt", "disrupt", "bother", or "upset", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "Don't disturb" or "Do not disturb"?

Both "Don't "disturb"" and "Do not "disturb"" are grammatically correct; the former is a contraction and is more informal.

What is the difference between "disturb" and "disrupt"?

"Disturb" generally refers to interrupting or interfering with something, while "disrupt" implies a more significant disturbance that alters the normal course of events.