kind of consternation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of consternation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of confusion or anxiety that is somewhat mild or not fully intense. Example: "When she heard the unexpected news, there was a kind of consternation among the team members as they tried to process the information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For literary journals, the arrival of the Internet has not caused nearly the same kind of consternation as it has in book publishing or mainstream magazines — mainly because the profit motive has never really driven these boutique publishers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

After going on trial to Chivas de Guadalajara and causing all kinds of consternation among Chivas USA fans, it is nice to see one of the better performers on the roster come back for at least the rest of the season.

The Guardian - Sport

More than 2 million sham accounts were created, causing all kinds of consternation for customers ― extra fees, lower credit scores, calls from debt collectors on accounts these people did not know existed.

Huffington Post

The industry has reacted with the kind of flustered consternation that the White House might display if Richard A. Clarke showed up at a Rose Garden tea party.

The New York Times

Many fans of this music would have identified their choice as a kind of jazz, to the consternation of Mr. Marsalis and others.

The New York Times - Arts

Combat within cities minimizes American military advantages and offers the greatest possibility for the United States to make mistakes -- to harm civilians and create the kind of collateral damage that can cause consternation in the Arab world and here at home.

The New York Times

The suits, which will be banned starting Jan . 1 created chaos and consternation but also a kind of clarity, according to Peirsol.

The New York Times - Sports

It causes a lot of consternation and drama in Washington.

The New York Times - Magazine

"There's a lot of consternation here," he said.

The New York Times

This had been a source of consternation for some time.

The Guardian - Film

Today, I belong to a country full of consternation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of consternation" when you want to express a mild sense of worry or confusion without implying intense distress. It's suitable for situations where people are somewhat perplexed or anxious, but not overwhelmed.

Common error

Avoid using "kind of consternation" when the situation warrants stronger language. If the distress is significant, opt for phrases like "deep concern" or "serious anxiety" to accurately reflect the intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of consternation" functions as a noun phrase, where "consternation" is the noun and "kind of" acts as a modifier, softening the intensity of the noun. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing reactions to unexpected or troubling events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kind of consternation" is a grammatically correct phrase that expresses a moderate level of worry or confusion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While relatively rare in occurrence, it appears mainly in news and media contexts. For professional settings, consider using more formal synonyms like "some concern" to replace the phrase and elevate the language's style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sort of dismay

Replaces "consternation" with a simpler synonym and "kind of" with "sort of" to indicate a less formal tone.

a bit of alarm

Substitutes "consternation" with "alarm" and "kind of" with "a bit of", suggesting a slightly stronger reaction.

a degree of anxiety

Replaces "kind of consternation" with "a degree of anxiety", conveying a more clinical or detached perspective.

a touch of distress

Uses "distress" instead of "consternation" and "touch of" in place of "kind of", implying a lighter, more fleeting feeling.

a hint of unease

Employs "unease" as a softer alternative to "consternation", suggesting a subtle discomfort or disquiet.

a shade of concern

Replaces the original phrase with "shade of concern", indicating a mild level of worry or interest.

slight bewilderment

Uses "bewilderment" to emphasize confusion rather than anxiety, and replaces "kind of" with "slight".

mild shock

Replaces "consternation" with "shock" to denote a sudden surprise, but tempers it with "mild".

some confusion

Offers a more general term for "consternation", focusing on the lack of clarity rather than the emotional response.

a little disquiet

Uses "disquiet" as a softer substitute for "consternation", implying a mild disturbance or worry.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of consternation" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of consternation" to describe a situation where there is a mild feeling of worry or confusion. For example, "There was a "kind of consternation" among the team members when the project was unexpectedly delayed".

What phrases are similar to "kind of consternation"?

Similar phrases include "sort of dismay", "a bit of alarm", or "a degree of anxiety". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "kind of consternation" too informal for professional writing?

While "kind of consternation" is understandable, more formal alternatives like "some concern" or "a degree of anxiety" might be more appropriate in professional contexts.

When should I avoid using "kind of consternation"?

Avoid using "kind of consternation" when describing situations involving severe distress or significant negative consequences. In such cases, stronger terms such as "outright horror" or "intense dismay" are more fitting.