is very alarming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very alarming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express concern or fear about a situation or event that is perceived as troubling or dangerous. Example: "The recent spike in crime rates in the city is very alarming to residents who feel unsafe in their neighborhoods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"There are a lot of young women now, which is very alarming.

The Guardian

Resistance is very alarming, but will not undo some of the great progress against malaria that has been made.

The Guardian

Even a good shaman may do inadvertent harm, and a wicked shaman, who is in contact with the spirits of the Lower World, is very alarming.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The execution today is very alarming," said Omid Memarian, a consultant at Human Rights Watch, which is based in New York.

The New York Times

"It is very alarming to me to have this happen during the rush hour of people taking their children to school," said Rashida Tlaib, a Democratic state representative who attended the rally.

The New York Times

It is very alarming therefore that thousands of people are going to have this support cut off, putting a huge financial strain on them as well as on their families".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

They are very alarming.

The Guardian

"It was very alarming.

The Guardian

"It's very alarming," he said.

The New York Times

"It's very alarming," she said.

The New York Times

Sometimes that can be very alarming if you're onstage".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is very alarming", ensure the context clearly explains why the situation is alarming. Provide specific details to support your claim and avoid vague statements.

Common error

While "is very alarming" is correct, consider stronger, more precise verbs or adjectives to convey the severity of the situation. For instance, use "is deeply concerning" or "is profoundly troubling" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very alarming" functions as a subject complement, describing a subject as causing alarm or concern. It usually follows a linking verb (is) and modifies the subject of the sentence. Ludwig examples confirm its descriptive function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is very alarming" is a common and grammatically correct way to express significant concern or fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a subject complement, highlighting a cause for worry. It's most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While effective, it's important to provide context and potentially consider stronger alternatives to "very" for increased impact. Phrases like "is quite alarming" or "is extremely alarming" offer nuanced ways to express similar concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is extremely alarming

Intensifies the degree of alarm by using "extremely" instead of "very".

is highly alarming

Substitutes "very" with "highly", indicating a significant level of alarm.

is quite alarming

Replaces "very" with "quite", slightly reducing the intensity of the alarm.

is most alarming

Substitutes "very" with "most", suggesting it is the greatest cause for alarm.

is very shocking

Substitutes "alarming" with "shocking", focusing on the surprise element.

is very worrisome

Replaces "alarming" with "worrisome", emphasizing the anxiety caused.

is very disturbing

Substitutes "alarming" with "disturbing", highlighting the unsettling nature.

is very unsettling

Replaces "alarming" with "unsettling", focusing on the disruption of peace of mind.

is very ominous

Substitutes "alarming" with "ominous", suggesting a future threat.

is very startling

Replaces "alarming" with "startling", emphasizing the surprise and suddenness.

FAQs

How can I use "is very alarming" in a sentence?

The phrase "is very alarming" is used to express significant concern or fear about something. For example: "The increase in unemployment rate is very alarming."

What are some alternatives to "is very alarming"?

You can use alternatives like "is quite alarming", "is very shocking", or "is very disturbing" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is very alarming" in writing?

It's suitable to use "is very alarming" when you want to convey a strong sense of worry or concern about a situation. However, ensure your audience understands why it's alarming by providing context or details.

Is there a difference between "is very alarming" and "is extremely alarming"?

Yes, "is extremely alarming" intensifies the level of concern compared to "is very alarming". Use "is extremely alarming" when you want to emphasize the high degree of worry or danger associated with something.