disturbance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disturbance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an interruption or disruption in a normal state or process, often in contexts related to noise, chaos, or environmental changes. Example: "The loud disturbance outside made it difficult for the students to concentrate on their exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the reason that they come near the sun at all is because their original orbits, which kept them in the distant realm of the Oort cloud, had been somehow disturbed.Such disturbance has traditionally been ascribed to the combined gravitational effect of all the stars of the earth's home galaxy, the Milky Way.

The Economist

She said the defendant was a loving and caring man who had suffered a "clear mental disturbance".

The Guardian

About 100 people chanting "Rape is not a joke!" and "No means no!" protested outside a theater in Denver before comedian Bill Cosby took the stage on Saturday, but his performance night went on without a disturbance.

The Guardian

A report to the committee said: "Casinos are usually very well managed and the dispersal of customers tends to be more widely spread, resulting in less noise and disturbance".

The Guardian

German environment minister Barbara Hendricks said there was a "moral obligation" to fight climate disturbance and reiterated Berlin's objective of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 40% by 2020 from 1990 levels.

The Guardian

Minimal disturbance could indicate that a calm, calculating, forensically aware serial killer was behind the crimes.

The Guardian

"Even accepting that an element of mental disturbance was intrinsic to the commission of these crimes, the interests of justice require nothing less than a whole life order".

The Guardian

The deployment, ordered by Maryland's governor, Larry Hogan, was the first time the national guard had been called up for a civil disturbance in Maryland since rioting after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr in 1968.

The Guardian

To date, the GBR has lost fewer corals to bleaching and diseases than many other regions in the world, but bleaching mortality will almost certainly increase in the GBR, given the upward trend in temperatures... Without significant changes to the rates of disturbance and coral growth, coral cover in the central and southern regions of the GBR is likely to decline to 5 10% by 2022.

The Guardian

"A government study cited illegal persecution through shooting, trapping and disturbance as the main reason for the hen harrier's unfavourable conservation status in England," said Madge.

The Guardian

It is the first footage to be seen from the disturbance that left one man, Reza Barati, dead, one shot, and dozens wounded, 13 seriously.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events, use "disturbance" to refer to an interruption or disruption that affects the normal course of events. For example, "The protest caused a significant disturbance to traffic flow."

Common error

Avoid using "disturbance" in highly formal or technical writing where more precise terms like "anomaly" or "deviation" might be more appropriate. "Disturbance" can sometimes imply a negative connotation of unrest or disorder.

Linguistic Context

The word "disturbance" primarily functions as a noun, referring to something that interrupts, interferes, or disrupts. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is often used to describe disruptions to peace, order, or normal activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disturbance" is a commonly used noun referring to an interruption or disruption, often in contexts related to noise, chaos, or environmental changes. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in news and media sources. While generally neutral in register, its specific connotation can vary depending on the context. Alternatives like ""disruption"" or "commotion" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Disruption

Focuses more on the interruption of a process or event.

Uproar

Emphasizes a public expression of disapproval or outrage.

Commotion

Highlights noisy excitement and confusion.

Turmoil

Suggests a state of great confusion or uncertainty.

Agitation

Implies anxiety or nervous excitement.

Disorder

Refers to a state of confusion or lack of organization.

Interference

Highlights the act of intervening and preventing something from continuing.

Interruption

Focuses on temporarily stopping something.

Perturbation

Indicates a deviation from the normal course.

Instability

Emphasizes a lack of stability or steadiness.

FAQs

How can I use "disturbance" in a sentence?

You can use "disturbance" to describe an interruption or disruption. For instance, "The loud music created a "disturbance" for the neighbors" or "The earthquake caused a major "disturbance" in the region".

What's the difference between "disturbance" and "disruption"?

"Disturbance" generally implies an interference with peace or order, while "disruption" focuses on interrupting the normal course of an activity or process. A "disturbance" might be a noisy argument, while a "disruption" could be a power outage.

Which is correct, "cause a disturbance" or "make a disturbance"?

Both "cause a "disturbance"" and "make a "disturbance"" are acceptable, but "cause a "disturbance"" is more commonly used. The choice often depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What can I say instead of "disturbance"?

You can use alternatives like ""disruption"", "commotion", or "uproar" depending on the context. For a mental health context, consider "mental disorder".