disturbing problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"disturbing problem" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a problem or issue that causes worry, discomfort, or upset. It emphasizes the unsettling nature of the problem. Example: The increasing rate of plastic waste in the ocean is a disturbing problem that needs to be addressed immediately.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

But that is only one side of this disturbing problem.

The New York Times

A deeper and more disturbing problem is Oswald's Frankenstein transplant of similes from the original.

The New York Times - Books

It has been a continuing and disturbing problem, given that offense was considered a team strength.

The New York Times - Sports

Some years ago, a couple came to Ramasamy Manikam with a disturbing problem.

The New York Times

There's another, more disturbing problem: doesn't it make you feel a little antsy that your photo collection isn't on a computer that you can put your hands on?

The New York Times - Tech

Along with other major religions, Judaism's most disturbing problem was how to deal with secular ideologies and the growth of secularism within its own ranks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Yet, beyond the rationalizations lie some disturbing problems for the Giants to address this week as they prepared for an arguably even tougher opponent.

The New York Times - Sports

The proposed transfers, part of sweeping court-ordered changes at the state Division of Youth and Family Services that the agency will unveil this week, is an ambitious attempt by state officials to solve one of the child welfare system's most intractable and disturbing problems.

The New York Times

The assumptions that lead neo-liberals to be skeptical about the large modern state imply equally disturbing problems for the large private concentrations of wealth in a neo-liberal society.

SEP

Peeling back the layers of our patent system reveals some disturbing problems.

Huffington Post

This fractured FaceTime episode exposes three disturbing problems in our increasingly Wi-Fi dependent lives: our underwhelming and non-competitive national broadband infrastructure controlled by local monopolistic cable companies, none of which we can do much about, and the lies your Wi-Fi router tells you, which you can certainly do something about.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disturbing problem", ensure that the context clearly explains why the problem is disturbing. Providing specific details will enhance the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "disturbing problem" as a generic descriptor. If the problem isn't genuinely unsettling or worrisome, opt for a more neutral term like "issue" or "challenge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disturbing problem" functions as a noun phrase where "disturbing" acts as a qualifying adjective, modifying the noun "problem". It is used to characterize a problem as something that causes worry, discomfort, or alarm. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disturbing problem" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe an issue that causes unease or worry. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Analysis of various sources shows that it is most commonly found in News & Media and Science. When using the phrase, ensure the context clarifies why the problem is disturbing. Consider semantically similar alternatives like "worrisome issue" or "troubling matter" to add nuance to your writing. Avoid overuse and ensure the problem genuinely warrants such a description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worrisome issue

Replaces 'problem' with 'issue' and 'disturbing' with 'worrisome', highlighting the concern it causes.

troubling matter

Substitutes 'problem' with 'matter' and 'disturbing' with 'troubling', emphasizing the unsettling nature of the situation.

alarming situation

Replaces 'problem' with 'situation' and 'disturbing' with 'alarming', stressing the potential danger.

concerning development

Substitutes 'problem' with 'development' and 'disturbing' with 'concerning', focusing on an evolving situation causing anxiety.

unsettling predicament

Replaces 'problem' with 'predicament' and 'disturbing' with 'unsettling', highlighting the difficulty and discomfort of the situation.

disquieting dilemma

Substitutes 'problem' with 'dilemma' and 'disturbing' with 'disquieting', focusing on the anxiety-inducing nature of the choice or situation.

vexing question

Replaces 'problem' with 'question' and 'disturbing' with 'vexing', highlighting the frustrating nature of the issue.

serious challenge

Substitutes 'disturbing' with 'serious', emphasizing the gravity and difficulty of the challenge at hand.

grave concern

Replaces the entire phrase to focus specifically on the presence of deep worry.

difficult issue

Replaces 'disturbing' with 'difficult', softening the emotional impact while still conveying the problematic nature of the subject.

FAQs

What does "disturbing problem" mean?

A "disturbing problem" refers to an issue that causes unease, worry, or discomfort due to its nature or potential consequences. It suggests that the problem is not just a regular issue but something that is unsettling or alarming.

What can I say instead of "disturbing problem"?

You can use alternatives like "worrisome issue", "troubling matter", or "alarming situation" depending on the specific context and the level of intensity you want to convey.

How do I use "disturbing problem" in a sentence?

You can use "disturbing problem" to describe any issue that is causing significant concern. For example, "The increasing rate of cyberbullying is a disturbing problem among teenagers" or "Climate change presents a disturbing problem for future generations".

Is "disturbing problem" formal or informal?

The phrase "disturbing problem" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While it's strong enough for serious discussions, it's also clear enough for everyday conversation.