great consternation

USAGE SUMMARY

"great consternation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of great distress or apprehension, usually brought about by something unexpected or disturbing. For example: The news of the layoffs caused great consternation among the workers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, that deal has caused great consternation.

The New York Times

Germany's numbers are falling fast to their great consternation.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He initiated the call after learning there was great consternation in Washington," a senior official said.

The New York Times

To Lincoln's great consternation, Meade felt unable to counterattack, and Lee retreated into Virginia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Part of the New York legend is that these caused great consternation.

The Guardian

And like missing ballots, missing shirts and socks can be cause for great consternation.

The New York Times

The Eighth Circuit's decision caused great consternation in state courts and within the organized bar.

The New York Times

Whatever it was, the fireball on Sunday caused great consternation and wonder across Central Texas.

The New York Times

The event's organisers expressed "great consternation and shock" at his detention.

The Guardian - Film

This question has caused the Doctor great consternation, as the greatest records are full of imperfections.

The Guardian - Music

While his presence usually causes great consternation among other birds, he did not appear to be hunting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great consternation" to emphasize a strong negative reaction to unexpected or disturbing news or events. It conveys a sense of alarm and unease.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "great consternation" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler expressions like "great worry" or "a lot of anxiety" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great consternation" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI examples show it commonly follows verbs like "cause" or "express", indicating the result or manifestation of the feeling. As an abstract noun phrase, it encapsulates a state of anxiety or alarm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great consternation" is a correct and usable phrase to describe a state of significant anxiety or alarm, as validated by Ludwig AI. With a very common usage frequency, it's particularly prevalent in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts. Although, given its formal tone, it's advisable to avoid overuse in informal conversations, where simpler expressions are more appropriate. When aiming to convey a strong negative reaction to disturbing events, "great consternation" serves as an effective and well-understood term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

great unease

Similar in meaning but less intense than "great consternation".

considerable alarm

Replaces "consternation" with "alarm", suggesting a heightened sense of fear or worry.

profound distress

Highlights the suffering and anguish resulting from the event.

deep anxiety

Focuses on the worry aspect of consternation, using a more psychological term.

intense apprehension

Suggests a feeling of dread or anticipation of something negative.

much dismay

Focuses on the disappointment and discouragement caused.

major disquiet

Emphasizes the disturbance and unease caused by the situation.

considerable agitation

Highlights the state of restlessness and worry.

serious perturbation

A more formal and less common synonym for disturbance or agitation.

widespread panic

Implies a more general and uncontrolled fear affecting a large group.

FAQs

How can I use "great consternation" in a sentence?

You can use "great consternation" to describe a situation that causes significant alarm or distress. For example: "The sudden announcement caused "great consternation" among the employees."

What are some alternatives to saying "great consternation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "considerable alarm", "deep anxiety", or "great unease".

Is it correct to say "major consternation" instead of "great consternation"?

Yes, "major consternation" is a valid alternative, though "great consternation" is more common. Both phrases effectively convey a high degree of worry or alarm.

What's the difference between "great consternation" and "great surprise"?

"Great consternation" implies a negative reaction involving anxiety and alarm, whereas "great surprise" simply indicates astonishment, which can be either positive or negative.