disturbing circumstance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disturbing circumstance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that causes unease or concern. Example: "The investigation revealed a disturbing circumstance that raised questions about the safety protocols in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"When it started off, it was smoke bombs and those are bad enough for anyone who suffers from asthma or those kinds of breathing conditions, who find that a disturbing circumstance.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Psychologically, it develops a sense of teamwork, discipline, and self-control; it promotes automatic performance of duties under disturbing circumstances and instinctive response to the control and stimulus of leaders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In these disturbing circumstances, headlines have begun to ask whether democracy is in crisis, a question that political scientists have been mulling over for some years, with thinkers such as Colin Crouch wondering whether we are moving into a "post-democratic" era.

The Guardian - Opinion

The highly disturbing circumstances of his death are detailed in her book; in The Tillman Story, a documentary to be released in August; and in Jon Krakauer's biography of Tillman, Where Men Win Glory.

Huffington Post

The scenario would be disturbing under any circumstances, but even more so when you know this: The man was a surgeon, and the woman was the patient he was prepping for a vaginal hysterectomy.

Los Angeles Times

If she is innocent, then she is an American woman who has lost her husband and the father of her child under deeply disturbing and tragic circumstances, another victim of Tamerlan Tsarnaev's crime.

Huffington Post

A judge was sympathetic, calling the circumstances "very disturbing," but said that the law gave her no opportunity to intervene.

The New Yorker

Perhaps most alarming, Coughlin and several players said the Giants did not have a strong week of preparation, a disturbing admission considering the circumstances.

The New York Times - Sports

Whatever its merits from a long-term point of view, the idea that it is quite respectable for a country to alter the par value of its currency in certain circumstances had disturbing effects on the movements of short-term funds—effects that may not have been clearly foreseen at the time of Bretton Woods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Under the circumstances, it was disturbing that Smiley was carrying around an unusually good facsimile of an exceptionally valuable map.

The New Yorker

The widow in "Soldiering On" (Stephanie Cole), accustomed to living well, endures increasingly straitened circumstances and increasingly disturbing domestic revelations but insists she's "not the type" for tragedy: "Not quite 'Orphans of the Storm' time" is her cheerful resolution.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disturbing circumstance", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the circumstance disturbing to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify the nature of the disturbance, such as ethical, emotional, or practical concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "disturbing circumstance" without providing specific details about what is disturbing. Overusing it with vague descriptions weakens its impact and leaves the reader guessing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disturbing circumstance" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "disturbing" modifies the noun "circumstance". It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, describing a situation that causes unease or concern. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disturbing circumstance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a situation causing unease or concern. Ludwig confirms its validity. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific contexts, with a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, it is crucial to provide specific details to clarify what makes the circumstance disturbing and avoid vague or ambiguous descriptions. Alternatives like "troubling situation" or "worrying development" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

troubling situation

Replaces 'circumstance' with 'situation', implying a problematic state of affairs.

worrying development

Focuses on the evolving nature of the circumstance and the anxiety it provokes.

alarming event

Highlights the sudden and potentially dangerous nature of the circumstance.

unsettling incident

Emphasizes the unease and disruption caused by the circumstance.

disconcerting situation

Replaces 'disturbing' with 'disconcerting', indicating a feeling of confusion and anxiety.

concerning matter

Shifts the focus to the importance and potential implications of the circumstance.

uneasy situation

Highlights the lack of comfort and security surrounding the circumstance.

awkward situation

Emphasizes the difficulty and potential for embarrassment caused by the circumstance.

peculiar event

Focuses on the odd or unusual nature of the circumstance.

unfortunate situation

Highlights the negative and undesirable nature of the circumstance.

FAQs

What does "disturbing circumstance" mean?

A "disturbing circumstance" refers to a situation or event that causes worry, unease, or anxiety due to its negative or unsettling nature.

What are some alternatives to "disturbing circumstance"?

You can use alternatives like "troubling situation", "worrying development", or "alarming event" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "disturbing circumstance" in a sentence?

Example: "The investigation revealed a "disturbing circumstance" that raised questions about the company's financial practices."

Is "disturbing circumstance" a formal or informal phrase?

The phrase "disturbing circumstance" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, often found in news reports, academic analyses, and professional communications.