in an understandable panic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in an understandable panic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of panic that is clear or comprehensible to others. Example: "As the deadline approached, she found herself in an understandable panic, unsure of how to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You don't have to be an admirer of warrantless wiretapping to acknowledge that it might have originated in an understandable panic about the intelligence failures that permitted the attacks to happen.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In America Barack Obama, the effective owner of General Motors and a chunk of Wall Street, has turned his back on the laissez-faire approach of the past: a strategic-industries initiative is under way.Although an understandable panic over economic growth in the rich world explains much of the state's new meddling in business, other forces are at work as well.

The Economist

WHEN variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (VCJD) was first identified in Britain as the human form of "mad-cow disease", there was an understandable panic.

The Economist

That may be understandable: panic was in the air, AIG faced crippling collateral calls and Lehman Brothers had just folded.

The Economist

This guide includes many useful details in a understandable format.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

We were in an exhausted panic.

The New York Times - Travel

Panic is an understandable reaction for buyers who suddenly find that their insurance contracts are worthless.

The Economist

Sunday in a mild panic.

The New York Times - Sports

It is now in a minor panic.

The Economist

I was in a total panic.

The New York Times

Nocturnal panic (NP), waking from sleep in a state of panic, is a common occurrence among patients with panic disorder, with 44 71% reporting at least one such attack.

Sleep Medicine Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in an understandable panic" to convey that someone's reaction of panic is reasonable and justified, often due to specific circumstances or events. This helps create empathy or understanding in your writing.

Common error

While descriptive, "in an understandable panic" can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "justifiably panicked" or describing the specific reasons for the panic to provide richer context and avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in an understandable panic" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and used to describe a comprehensible state of panic.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in an understandable panic" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a state of panic that is justified or easily understood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's about conveying empathy and highlighting the rationality behind someone's reaction. Though relatively rare, it appears in News & Media and Science contexts, making it suitable for neutral to professional writing. Remember to use it judiciously and consider synonyms to avoid repetition and enhance the depth of your descriptions. By using "in an understandable panic" effectively, you can enrich your narrative and help your audience better comprehend the characters’ emotional states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a justifiable panic

Replaces "understandable" with "justifiable", emphasizing the validity of the panic.

in a reasonable panic

Substitutes "understandable" with "reasonable", suggesting the panic is logical given the circumstances.

in a comprehensible panic

Uses "comprehensible" in place of "understandable", highlighting the clarity of the reason for panic.

in a logical panic

Replaces "understandable" with "logical", implying a clear cause-and-effect relationship leading to the panic.

in a warranted panic

Emphasizes that the panic is justified or deserved based on the situation.

in a well-founded panic

Highlights that the panic has a strong basis or foundation in reality.

in a panic for good reason

Adds the phrase "for good reason" to specify a clear rationale for the panic.

understandably panicked

Changes the structure to an adverb modifying a verb, while retaining the core meaning.

in an explicable state of panic

Replaces understandable with explicable and adds state to provide more context.

in a panic that's easy to grasp

Uses more verbose and simpler language to convey the understandability of the panic.

FAQs

How can I use "in an understandable panic" in a sentence?

You can use "in an understandable panic" to describe someone's reaction to a situation where their panic is justified or easily understood. For example, "Seeing the house on fire, she ran "in an understandable panic" to save her children".

What are some alternative phrases to "in an understandable panic"?

Some alternatives include "justifiably panicked", "understandably panicked", or "in a justifiable panic". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "in an understandable panic" or "understandably panicked"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they function differently in a sentence. "In an understandable panic" is a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, whereas "understandably panicked" is an adverb modifying a verb. The choice depends on the sentence structure you prefer.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "in an understandable panic"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that someone's panic is not irrational or unexpected, given the circumstances. It suggests a degree of empathy or validation for their emotional state.