it was in disarray

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was in disarray" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, object, or environment that is messy, chaotic, or not organized. Example: "After the party, the living room was in disarray, with empty cups and scattered decorations everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He first joined LIGO in the 1990s, when it was in disarray and at risk of losing funding.

University of California, Berkeley

"The space was great," Mr. Swan said, "but it was in disarray".

The New York Times

It was in disarray almost from the beginning, when Mr. Chirac's party turned away from Mr. Tibéri, who had been hand-picked by Mr. Chirac in 1995.

The New York Times

When Dr. Crim took over the Atlanta schools system, it was in disarray, with standards plummeting, teachers and students being shunted from school to school for racial reasons, and its institutional structure unraveling.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Griles said he became involved with the impact study only because it seemed to be "in disarray" and needed coordination.

The New York Times

There remain elements of that group operating in the desert north of Mosul, the general said, but over all it is in disarray, with its commanders unable to communicate with Al Qaeda's leaders in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The New York Times

The prime minister's pitch is an audacious attempt to steal Labour's image as the party of the workers while it is in disarray following its defeat under leader Ed Miliband.

The Guardian

UKIP is facing claims it is in disarray after two election candidates were suspended and a third stood down.

BBC

On the one hand, the strategy of strengthening the formal dairy sector followed by USAID and others is aiming to revamp a supply chain that it is in disarray and their strategy involves the entire supply chain.

Agricultural and Food Economics

The Syria peace conference has been more than a year in the making and now it is in disarray before it has even started, reports the BBC's Kim Ghattas.

BBC

The Realtors' association had begun its own online effort, but after it spent millions, its site was in disarray and its board was ready to shut it down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was in disarray" to vividly depict a situation lacking order or structure. This phrase is effective in conveying the extent of disorganization, whether describing a physical space, an organization, or even a plan.

Common error

Avoid using "it was in disarray" for minor imperfections. The phrase implies a significant lack of order, not just slight messiness. Use more appropriate terms like "untidy" or "slightly disorganized" for less severe situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was in disarray" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically acting as a predicate adjective complementing a subject. It vividly portrays a state of disorder, chaos, or lack of organization. Ludwig AI validates the appropriateness of using it to define subjects in mess or chaos conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was in disarray" is a grammatically sound and widely applicable expression used to depict a state of significant disorder or chaos. Ludwig AI confirms that its best use is to communicate the extent of disorganization associated with a situation, place, or entity. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, its neutrality makes it a valuable tool across various forms of communication, prominently appearing in News & Media, Academia and Science. When aiming for clarity and vivid imagery, consider using "it was in disarray" to effectively portray situations lacking order. Related alternatives include "it was chaotic", "it was a mess", and "it was disorganized" to vary your phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was chaotic

Emphasizes the lack of order and unpredictable nature of the situation.

it was in chaos

Highlights a state of complete confusion and disorder.

it was in a state of disorder

A more formal way of expressing the lack of order.

it was a mess

A more informal way to describe the state of being disorganized and untidy.

it was disorganized

Focuses on the lack of structure and planning.

it was shambolic

Describes something poorly organized or maintained; chaotic.

it was all over the place

Implies a lack of focus and scattered arrangement.

it was jumbled

Emphasizes a mixed-up and confused arrangement.

it was haywire

Suggests that things were out of control and malfunctioning.

it was topsy-turvy

Suggests that things were in a state of upheaval or inversion.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was in disarray" to describe a situation, object, or environment that is messy, chaotic, or not organized. For example, "After the storm, the garden "it was in disarray" with broken branches and scattered debris."

What are some alternatives to "it was in disarray"?

You can use alternatives like "it was chaotic", "it was a mess", or "it was disorganized" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "it was in disarray" formal or informal?

"It was in disarray" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and the specific situation when deciding if a more descriptive or nuanced phrase might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "it was in disarray" and "it was a mess"?

While both phrases describe a lack of order, "it was in disarray" suggests a more significant degree of chaos and disorganization than "it was a mess". "It was a mess" can refer to a minor, easily remedied situation, while "it was in disarray" implies a more substantial problem.