is in disarray

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is in disarray" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something is in a state of chaos, confusion, or disorder. Example: The office after the fire alarm went off is in disarray. Papers are scattered on the floor, desks are overturned, and there is a strong smell of burnt popcorn in the air.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Voter registration is in disarray.

The Economist

Our leadership is in disarray.

The New York Times

The opposition is in disarray.

The Economist

But New York's left is in disarray.

The Economist

The Russian state is in disarray.

The New York Times

The state Republican Party is in disarray.

The New Yorker

The government is in disarray.

The Guardian - Opinion

Al Qaeda is in disarray.

MIT Technology Review

His party is in disarray.

The Guardian

But now China's strategy is in disarray.

The New York Times

Worse, Microsoft's mobile business is in disarray.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is in disarray" to describe situations where there is a noticeable lack of order or organization. It's particularly effective when highlighting the negative consequences of this lack of structure.

Common error

While "is in disarray" is widely acceptable, be mindful of the register. In highly formal or academic writing, consider alternatives like "is in disorder" or "is disorganized" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is in disarray" functions as a predicative expression, describing the state or condition of a subject. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it indicates a lack of order, organization, or control. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is in disarray" effectively conveys a state of disorder or chaos. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, remember that more formal alternatives might be suitable for academic writing. Ludwig's examples showcase diverse applications of the phrase, from describing political situations to sports teams. Alternatives such as "is in chaos" or "is falling apart" offer stylistic variations, while understanding common errors like overuse in formal contexts can refine your writing. In short, "is in disarray" is a versatile and reliable expression for describing a lack of order and organization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in chaos

Replaces "disarray" with "chaos", suggesting a more extreme state of disorder.

is in disorder

Substitutes "disarray" with "disorder", offering a slightly more formal tone.

is in a state of confusion

Elaborates on "is in disarray" by specifying the type of disorder as confusion.

is falling apart

Uses a more figurative expression to describe the disintegration implied by "is in disarray".

is crumbling

Suggests a gradual breakdown, similar to the loss of structure implied by "is in disarray".

is disorganized

Focuses on the lack of organization inherent in a state of disarray.

is a mess

Uses a more informal and general term to describe a state of disarray.

is topsy-turvy

Emphasizes the chaotic and inverted nature of a situation "is in disarray".

is all over the place

Conveys a sense of being scattered and uncoordinated, similar to being in disarray.

is in a muddle

Implies a confused and disordered state, akin to being "is in disarray".

FAQs

How can I use "is in disarray" in a sentence?

The phrase "is in disarray" describes a state of disorder or chaos. For example, "After the storm, the garden "was in disarray"", or "The project "is in disarray" due to poor planning".

What are some alternatives to "is in disarray"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is in chaos", "is in disorder", or "is falling apart", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "is in disarray" formal or informal?

"Is in disarray" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While acceptable in most contexts, more formal options like "is in disorder" might be preferable in academic or highly professional writing.

What's the difference between "is in disarray" and "is disorganized"?

While both suggest a lack of order, "is in disarray" often implies a more significant level of chaos or confusion. "Is disorganized" simply means lacking structure, whereas "is in disarray" suggests things have fallen into a state of messiness or dysfunction.