disturbing factor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disturbing factor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an element or aspect that causes disruption or unease in a situation or context. Example: "The disturbing factor in the report was the sudden increase in complaints from customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Another disturbing factor is the threatened entrance of the Manchu party in the conflict.

The New York Times

"I told him that the doctors were not very happy and felt he was a disturbing factor," Oblom says.

The New York Times - Magazine

David Wyss and Rick McDonald, economists at Standard & Poor's, said one disturbing factor in yesterday's employment report was a downturn in hiring for temporary jobs.

The New York Times

"From the very beginning, the interests held by the majority shareholders in Formula One, ie BayernLB and the other Formula One banks JP Morgan and Lehman, constituted a disturbing factor for the accused," says the indictment against Ecclestone.

The Guardian - Sport

Computer in the recording room is very often a disturbing factor in recording the speech signals.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

With the purpose of removing this disturbing factor from our experimental analysis, a homomorphic filtering approach is adopted.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Roosevelt asks the committee to propose "sound means" to secure against "several of the great disturbing factors in life — especially those which relate to unemployment and old age".

The New York Times

"The evidence session … has shed a light on much more far-ranging and disturbing factors in the market, including clear indications of too close relationships between those selling tickets on the primary market and sellers on the secondary market," said the committee.

The Guardian - Business

He said the evidence session had "shed a light on much more far-ranging and disturbing factors in the ticketing markets, including clear indications of too close relationships between those selling tickets on the primary market and sellers on the secondary market".

The Guardian - Money

Thus, an exclusive cp-clause does not merely require keeping all other X-independent and potentially disturbing factors constant; it rather excludes the presence of disturbing factors.

SEP

The signal itself can again be divided into station displacements due to geophysical causes and to disturbing factors.

Journal of Geodynamics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, consider quantifying the impact of the "disturbing factor" if possible. For example, instead of saying "The noise was a disturbing factor", specify "The excessive noise was a disturbing factor, reducing productivity by 20%."

Common error

Avoid using "disturbing factor" too frequently in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced terms such as "impediment", "hindrance", or "anomaly" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disturbing factor" functions as a noun phrase, where 'disturbing' acts as an adjective modifying 'factor'. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It identifies a specific element that causes disruption or unease.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disturbing factor" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote an element causing disruption or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile, fitting into various contexts, though it's more prevalent in science and news. When writing, aim for clarity and quantify its impact when possible. While acceptable, avoid overuse in formal contexts, opting for more precise terms. To achieve variety, you can consider "worrying aspect" or "troubling element" as alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worrying aspect

Focuses on the concern or anxiety the factor causes, rather than the disturbance itself.

troubling element

Emphasizes the problematic nature of the element in question.

concerning influence

Highlights the effect the factor has, specifically its potentially negative impact.

disruptive influence

Directly points to the factor's ability to interrupt or upset a process or situation.

unsettling aspect

Indicates that the factor creates a sense of unease or anxiety.

ominous sign

Suggests the factor is a predictor of future negative events.

alarming trend

Focuses on the factor being a pattern that causes worry.

problematic component

Highlights the issues and difficulties associated with a specific part of something.

vexing issue

Presents the factor as something that causes irritation and frustration.

conundrum

Implies the factor is a puzzling and difficult problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "disturbing factor" to describe something that causes unease or disruption. For instance, "The lack of data privacy is a disturbing factor for many users."

What are some alternatives to "disturbing factor"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "worrying aspect", "troubling element", or "concerning influence".

Is it appropriate to use "disturbing factor" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "disturbing factor" might sound less formal. In academic or professional contexts, consider using more precise terms like "impediment" or "hindrance" for a more refined tone.

What makes something a "disturbing factor" rather than simply a "factor"?

A "disturbing factor" specifically introduces unease, anxiety, or disruption, whereas a general "factor" is a more neutral element. The adjective "disturbing" adds a negative connotation.