slight disturbance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight disturbance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor interruption or disruption in a situation or environment. Example: "The meeting was interrupted by a slight disturbance outside the window, but we quickly resumed our discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

But the slight disturbance lasted a long while.

The New York Times - Magazine

Jordan put them down again carefully and turned, hearing a slight disturbance outside.

The New Yorker

Stability, in mathematics, condition in which a slight disturbance in a system does not produce too disrupting an effect on that system.

Britannica

However, a slight disturbance in the peaks can be observed, which makes it difficult to confirm the identity of N6-ribosylated isomer.

Nature

A planet orbiting a star causes a slight disturbance in the star's rotation, the effect of the gravitational tug between the star and the planet.

The New York Times

And he used ideas from topology, the mathematics of shapes and surfaces, to make a surprising prediction: that under the right conditions, even a slight disturbance could cause the beating to stop.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

For one thing, jets of gas from the comet caused slight disturbances in its orbit.

The New York Times - Science

It occurred to him that two entangled qubits could serve as sensitive detectors of slight disturbances in space.

University of California, Berkeley

Slight disturbances, like aircraft or ship traffic, can cause a stampede, putting the smallest of the bunch at particular risk.

Vice

At age 76 she presented with coordination problems of the left hand and slight disturbances of her gait.

Plosone

However, the pupal cells are so fragile that they can be broken by even slight disturbances.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slight disturbance", ensure it accurately reflects the magnitude of the disruption. If the impact is significant, consider stronger terms like "major disruption" or "considerable disturbance".

Common error

Avoid using "slight disturbance" when the situation involves a significant disruption. This can undermine the seriousness of the situation and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight disturbance" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "slight" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "disturbance". As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is commonly used to describe a minor disruption or interruption, appearing in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slight disturbance" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a minor interruption or disruption. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and suggests alternatives like "minor disruption" or "small interruption". The phrase is appropriate for a range of contexts, from scientific and academic writing to news and media, generally maintaining a neutral register. It is important to use "slight disturbance" accurately, ensuring it reflects the true magnitude of the event. Overstating or understating the impact can mislead the reader and undermine the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor disruption

Replaces 'slight' with 'minor', emphasizing the insignificance of the disruption.

small disruption

Substitutes 'slight' with 'small', conveying a similar sense of scale.

insignificant disruption

Replaces 'slight' with 'insignificant', highlighting the lack of importance of the disturbance.

minimal interference

Shifts from 'disturbance' to 'interference', suggesting a less impactful interruption.

mild perturbation

Uses 'perturbation' instead of 'disturbance', indicating a slight deviation or alteration.

subtle change

Focuses on the 'change' aspect of disturbance, emphasizing its subtlety.

gentle ripple

Employs a more metaphorical term, suggesting a delicate and minor impact.

faint tremor

Conveys a sense of instability and minimal impact.

soft interruption

Highlights the aspect of interruption while emphasizing its gentle nature.

passing tremor

Conveys a sense of a momentary and unimportant disturbance.

FAQs

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

You can use "slight disturbance" to describe a minor interruption or disruption. For example, "The experiment experienced a slight disturbance due to a power fluctuation."

What are some alternatives to "slight disturbance"?

Alternatives include "minor disruption", "small disruption", or "minimal interference" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "slight disturbance" or "slight disruption"?

Both "slight disturbance" and "slight disruption" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "slight disturbance" and "major disturbance"?

"Slight disturbance" indicates a minor interruption, while "major disturbance" implies a significant disruption with substantial impact.