get disturbing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get disturbing" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where something is becoming unsettling or troubling, but it would typically require additional context for clarity. Example: "As the story progressed, the plot began to get disturbing, leaving the audience feeling uneasy."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Instead, we get disturbing flashes that smartly undercut the exuberant innocence of an apparent utopia where nobody feels exploited and everybody gets off.

The New York Times - Books

"In the last year, we started to get disturbing tips from people, from ultrasound technicians who said women would ask to schedule an abortion immediately after learning the sex," Ms. Rose said in an interview.

The New York Times

The deeper you are in the inner sanctums of power, the slower you are to get disturbing news from the rest of the world.

Huffington Post

It's also where cufflinks get disturbing.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It gets disturbing, but you have to put it behind you.

The New York Times - Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sherri Coale was a coach at nearby Norman High School in March of 1990 when she got disturbing news about the University of Oklahoma.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, I suppose we all love a mystery, and when rugged, unsmiling space scientist Dr Christian King suddenly started getting disturbing images streaming live on to the conveniently huge screens in his office, well, who wouldn't call the police?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If you don't use it, you won't get the disturbing insults.

The Guardian - Film

The young couple from "True Believer," who are now expecting a child, get a disturbing message.123INFERNO, by Troy Denning.

The New York Times

In this reprint, the young couple from "True Believer," who are now expecting a child, get a disturbing message.101SILVER MASTER, by Jayne Castle.

The New York Times

And as any mom to a pre-teen can tell you, the mass-market options available to girls only get more disturbing with age.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "get disturbing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is becoming disturbing and why. Provide enough information for the reader to understand the source of the disturbance.

Common error

Avoid using "get disturbing" without specifying what is causing the disturbance. Vague statements can confuse the reader and weaken your message. Always provide a clear subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get disturbing" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a process or change of state where something is becoming unsettling or troubling. Ludwig indicates that it may sound awkward in some contexts and advises providing additional context for clarity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "get disturbing" describes something in the process of becoming unsettling or worrisome. Ludwig indicates the usage of the phrase is acceptable but can sound awkward or unclear without proper context. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media. While grammatically correct, it's recommended to provide clear context regarding what is causing the disturbance to avoid vagueness. Consider using alternatives like "become unsettling" or "turn troubling" for potentially more polished expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become unsettling

Replaces "get" with "become", focusing on the process of something turning unsettling.

turn troubling

Uses "turn" instead of "get", highlighting the change in state towards something problematic.

grow alarming

Emphasizes the increasing nature of the disturbance, using "alarming" to indicate a higher level of concern.

start to unnerve

Focuses on the emotional impact, suggesting something begins to make one feel nervous or uneasy.

begin to bother

Indicates an initial stage of disturbance, implying something starts to cause worry or annoyance.

become worrisome

Highlights the increasing concern associated with something, using "worrisome" to stress the potential for anxiety.

develop disturbingly

Shifts the focus to the manner in which something develops, indicating a disturbing progression.

seem unsettling

Suggests an appearance of being unsettling without necessarily a clear change in state.

prove perturbing

Uses "prove" to show that something is found to be disturbing, with "perturbing" emphasizing the disruption of mental peace.

feel uneasy

Focuses on the subjective experience of feeling disturbed, highlighting a sense of unease.

FAQs

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

Use "get disturbing" to describe a situation or information that is becoming unsettling or troublesome. For instance, "The news reports started to get disturbing as more details emerged."

What are some alternatives to "get disturbing"?

You can use alternatives like "become unsettling", "turn troubling", or "grow alarming" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "become disturbing" or "get disturbing"?

"Become disturbing" is generally considered more formal and stylistically preferred in writing. While "get disturbing" is acceptable, it's often viewed as less polished.

What's the difference between "get disturbing" and "feel disturbed"?

"Get disturbing" describes something external becoming unsettling, while "feel disturbed" refers to an internal emotional state. For example, "The movie started to get disturbing (get disturbing)" versus "I began to feel disturbed (feel disturbed) by the movie."