it was disturbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was disturbed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something was interrupted or disrupted, often referring to a state of calm or order that has been broken. Example: "The peace of the forest was shattered when it was disturbed by the loud construction noise nearby."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

In its job offer, the group said that it was disturbed that Ms. Lewinsky's career had been sidetracked since her relationship with President Clinton and hoped that she could use her name recognition to promote the election of women.

The New York Times

Although his reign was internally peaceful, it was disturbed by wars with England.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On Friday the US said it was "disturbed" by the unfolding scandal.

The Guardian

It was disturbed site, a jumble of artifacts, because the area had been plowed.

The New York Times

The film's distributor, 20th Century Fox, said it was "disturbed and saddened" at the content of ADI's video.

Independent

The US said on Friday it was disturbed by reports that five Hong Kong booksellers critical of China's leaders had disappeared.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

It was disturbing.

The New York Times

It was disturbing their learning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The videotape was not long, but it was disturbing.

The New York Times

Readers said Daniel Bergner's account of a cybermolester was as compelling as it was disturbing.

The New York Times

By Amy Davidson Sorkin April 5, 2010 "It was disturbing on Friday," Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was disturbed" to describe a situation where something's natural state or order has been disrupted, whether physically or figuratively. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was disturbed" in overly abstract or vague scenarios where a more precise verb would better convey the specific nature of the disruption. Instead of saying "the discussion was disturbed", consider "the discussion was derailed" or "the discussion was interrupted" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was disturbed" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that 'it' (the subject) underwent a disruption or interference. This construction is grammatically sound and aligns with standard English usage, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was disturbed" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe the disruption or alteration of something's original state. While considered rare in overall usage, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity and appropriate usage. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what 'it' refers to and consider stronger verbs if the disruption requires a more descriptive term. Common alternatives include "it was disrupted" or "it was interfered with", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was disrupted

This alternative replaces "disturbed" with "disrupted", focusing on the interruption of a process or state.

it was interrupted

This alternative emphasizes the breaking of continuity.

it was interfered with

This alternative emphasizes external intervention causing the disturbance.

it was unsettled

This alternative suggests a lack of stability or peace.

it was agitated

This alternative implies a state of being stirred up or excited, losing its calmness.

it was tampered with

This phrase highlights unauthorized or inappropriate alteration.

it was bothered

This suggests a state of being annoyed or inconvenienced.

it was invaded

This alternative suggests an intrusion upon a space or domain.

it was thrown into disarray

This alternative implies a state of disorder or confusion.

it was destabilized

This alternative indicates a loss of stability or equilibrium.

FAQs

How can I use "it was disturbed" in a sentence?

You can use "it was disturbed" to describe when something's natural state or order has been disrupted. For instance, "The archeological site showed signs that "it was disturbed" by looters."

What are some alternatives to "it was disturbed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it was disrupted", "it was interrupted", or "it was interfered with".

Is "it was disturbed" formal or informal?

"It was disturbed" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in neutral to formal writing. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the text.

Which is correct, "it was disturbed" or "it had been disturbed"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "It was disturbed" implies a more recent or direct disturbance, while "it had been disturbed" suggests that the disturbance occurred at some point in the past before another event.