disturbing trend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disturbing trend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a negative or concerning pattern observed in data, behavior, or events. Example: "The recent increase in pollution levels is a disturbing trend that cannot be ignored."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Why this disturbing trend?

The New York Times

It's a disturbing trend".

The New York Times

"Clearly it's a disturbing trend".

The New York Times

This is a disturbing trend.

The New York Times

And that is a very disturbing trend".

The New York Times

Employers are reacting to a disturbing trend.

The New York Times

But now there's a more disturbing trend.

The New Yorker

The 11th Circuit's decision is part of a disturbing trend.

The New York Times

Dr Horton, however, also sniffed out a more disturbing trend.

The Economist

"It is a very, very disturbing trend," Dr. Laurance said.

The New York Times

This seems to be part of a disturbing trend.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "disturbing trend", provide specific data or evidence to support your claim. This adds credibility to your argument and helps the audience understand the severity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of a "disturbing trend" without sufficient evidence. Focus on presenting a balanced view, acknowledging potential limitations or alternative explanations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disturbing trend" functions as a noun phrase, where "disturbing" modifies the noun "trend". It typically identifies a pattern or direction that is considered worrisome or concerning. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disturbing trend" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that serves to highlight a concerning or negative pattern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in various contexts, especially in News & Media, where it's used to signal alarm about societal, environmental, or economic issues. While alternatives like "worrisome development" or "alarming tendency" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of emphasis. When using "disturbing trend", it’s important to provide specific evidence to support your claim and avoid exaggeration. Overall, it's a versatile phrase for expressing concern about negative developments across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worrisome development

Emphasizes the concerning aspect of a development, using "worrisome" as a synonym for "disturbing".

alarming tendency

Highlights a worrying pattern or inclination, similar to a trend but potentially more ingrained.

concerning pattern

Focuses on the pattern aspect, using "concerning" to express worry about the trend.

troubling sign

Indicates that the trend is a signal of potential problems, emphasizing its indicative nature.

unsettling development

Uses "unsettling" to describe the trend's capacity to create anxiety or unease.

worrying indicator

Highlights the trend as a signal that causes worry, emphasizing its role as a predictor.

ominous sign

Suggests the trend portends something bad or threatening, implying a negative future outcome.

disquieting pattern

Uses "disquieting" to describe the trend's ability to cause unease or anxiety.

depressing development

Focuses on the trend's capacity to cause sadness or discouragement.

unfavorable tendency

Indicates that the trend is negative or undesirable, focusing on its detrimental nature.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "disturbing trend" in a sentence?

To effectively use "disturbing trend" in a sentence, ensure you clearly identify what is causing concern and why it is worrisome. For example, "The increasing rate of deforestation is a "disturbing trend" that threatens biodiversity".

What phrases can I use instead of "disturbing trend"?

You can use alternatives like "worrisome development", "alarming tendency", or "concerning pattern" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between a "disturbing trend" and a "worrisome trend"?

While both phrases are similar, "disturbing trend" might suggest a stronger sense of alarm or unease compared to "worrisome trend", which is generally milder. The choice depends on the level of concern you want to convey.

What makes a trend "disturbing"?

A trend becomes "disturbing" when it indicates potential negative consequences, raises ethical concerns, or deviates from expected norms in a way that causes worry or alarm. The nature of its impact defines how "disturbing trend" is described.