major disturbance

USAGE SUMMARY

"major disturbance" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it to describe an event that caused serious disruption. For example, "The strike caused a major disturbance in the city, leading to traffic delays and temporarily closing local businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Birmingham was the fourth major disturbance in two months.

The Guardian

Elsewhere in the kitchen, though, he ran into a major disturbance.

The New Yorker

"Greenspan has been pretty clear that he thinks Iraq is the major disturbance in the economy".

The New York Times

Secondary successionSecondary succession follows a major disturbance, such as a fire or a flood.

Britannica

If Dumbo flops, it could represent a major disturbance in Disney's grand master plan.

The Guardian - Film

The facility for adult men was hit by a major disturbance that reportedly caused £1m of damage in November 2016.

The Guardian

The site underwent a major disturbance in 2013 when the vegetation was removed to seed a nearby restored wetland.

University of California, Berkeley

Picea immigration was primarily a natural process but local establishment occurred after a major disturbance.

Biological Conservation

As forests undergo succession after major disturbance events their assemblages of birds also change.

Forest Ecology and Management

Oil sands mining is a major disturbance to boreal landscapes in north-eastern Alberta, Canada.

Aquatic Botany

The second disturbance started with a sudden commencement at 04.40 UT on September 2 and a major disturbance followed immediately.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing ecological changes, use "major disturbance" to refer to events like fires or floods that significantly alter the environment.

Common error

Avoid using "major disturbance" in everyday situations where a simpler term like "inconvenience" or "problem" would suffice. Overusing formal language can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major disturbance" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies an event or situation causing significant disruption or disorder, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples from news, science, and other fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major disturbance" is a commonly used noun phrase that effectively describes significant disruptive events. As Ludwig confirms, its grammatical structure is correct and it sees frequent use across various fields, particularly in science, news, and academia. When writing, remember that while the phrase is widely understood, it's best suited for neutral to formal contexts. Be mindful of its appropriate use, opting for simpler language in casual settings to avoid sounding overly formal. Consider the subtle nuances of related terms like ""significant disruption"" or ""serious disorder"" to fine-tune your descriptive accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant disruption

Focuses on the disruptive nature of the event, emphasizing the interruption of normal activities.

serious disorder

Highlights the chaotic and disorderly nature of the event, suggesting a breakdown of order.

large-scale disruption

Emphasizes the extent and reach of the disruption, affecting a wide area or many people.

severe upheaval

Indicates a sudden and dramatic change, often with negative consequences.

considerable turmoil

Highlights the state of unrest and agitation caused by the event.

substantial commotion

Emphasizes the noise and activity associated with the disturbance.

significant event

A more neutral alternative, simply denoting importance without specifying the nature of the disturbance.

primary disruption

This highlights the disruptive nature of the event, emphasizing the interruption of normal activities.

notable incident

Focuses on the event being noteworthy and drawing attention.

principal disruption

This underscores the disruptive aspect of the event, highlighting the break in typical routines.

FAQs

How can I use "major disturbance" in a sentence?

You can use "major disturbance" to describe events that cause significant disruption. For example, "The hurricane caused a "major disturbance" to the coastal ecosystem".

What are some synonyms for "major disturbance"?

Alternatives include "significant disruption", "serious disorder", or "large-scale disruption", depending on the specific context.

Is "major disturbance" formal or informal?

"Major disturbance" is generally considered a neutral to formal term, suitable for academic, news, and professional contexts. It may sound out of place in casual conversation.

What kind of events qualify as a "major disturbance"?

Events that lead to significant disruption, disorder, or change can be considered a "major disturbance". This can include natural disasters, social unrest, economic crises, or large-scale system failures.