plainly disturbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plainly disturbed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is clearly upset or troubled by something. Example: "After hearing the news, she looked plainly disturbed, unable to hide her emotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Moore likes Stanley, but he is plainly disturbed by what he sees as deviations from Biblical orthodoxy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Disturbed, sure.

The Guardian - Music

Disturbed, even.

The New Yorker

And disturbed.

The New Yorker

Disturbed and content.

The New Yorker

"He looked visibly disturbed".

The New York Times

EDP: Emotionally disturbed person.

The New York Times

Nobody disturbed me.

The New Yorker

"I'm not disturbed.

The New York Times

"Why are markets disturbed?

Forbes

disturbed quantities.

Boundary Value Problems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly disturbed" when you want to emphasize that someone's distress is easily noticeable or apparent, not hidden or subtle. It's stronger than "slightly bothered" but less intense than "deeply traumatized".

Common error

While "plainly disturbed" is appropriate in certain contexts, avoid overusing it, as it can become repetitive. Vary your vocabulary to describe different shades of emotional states to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly disturbed" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a subject to describe their emotional state. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in conveying a noticeable level of unease or distress.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly disturbed" is a grammatically correct adverb-adjective phrase used to describe a state of obvious emotional distress. While not extremely common, as indicated by Ludwig AI, it is found in reputable sources such as The New Yorker and The New York Times. The phrase is most suitable for neutral contexts, and can be replaced with alternatives like "clearly upset" or "obviously troubled" to avoid repetition. When writing, remember that using "plainly disturbed" emphasizes the visibility of the distress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly upset

Emphasizes the outward manifestation of distress, focusing on visible signs of being upset.

obviously troubled

Highlights an internal state of worry or difficulty, evident to observers.

visibly agitated

Focuses on physical restlessness and heightened emotional arousal.

noticeably anxious

Emphasizes the presence of anxiety that is easy to perceive.

distinctly uneasy

Highlights a lack of comfort and a sense of apprehension that is clearly apparent.

palpably distressed

Focuses on the intensity and almost tangible nature of the distress.

evidently bothered

Emphasizes that someone is troubled by something, and it's clear to see.

unmistakably perturbed

Highlights that someone is anxious or unsettled to a degree that cannot be missed.

demonstrably unsettled

Indicates that someone's composure has been disrupted in a way that is easy to prove.

apparently disquieted

Focuses on a loss of inner peace and tranquility, suggesting that the person seems bothered.

FAQs

How can I use "plainly disturbed" in a sentence?

You can use "plainly disturbed" to describe someone whose distress is easily noticeable. For example: "After hearing the news, she looked "plainly disturbed", unable to hide her emotions."

What are some alternatives to "plainly disturbed"?

Some alternatives include "clearly upset", "obviously troubled", or "visibly agitated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "plainly disturbed" or "clearly disturbed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. "Clearly disturbed" might be slightly more common in contemporary usage, but "plainly disturbed" adds a touch of formality or emphasis on the obviousness of the distress.

What does "plainly" emphasize in the phrase "plainly disturbed"?

The adverb "plainly" emphasizes the clarity and obviousness of the disturbance. It suggests that the person's distress is easily perceptible and not subtle or hidden.