slightly alarming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly alarming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes a mild sense of concern or unease. Example: "The sudden drop in temperature was slightly alarming, prompting us to check the weather forecast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Both are slightly alarming.

The Guardian - Music

Walking into the jungle was only slightly alarming.

The Guardian - Travel

One came and lay partly under our car, which was slightly alarming.

The Guardian - Travel

I love a fundraiser but if you honestly think staying off alcohol for four weeks is such a huge achievement that it deserves sponsoring then that's slightly alarming.

Independent

Am I? I think it's just suddenly all of the three things I do have come together at once and it's slightly alarming.

The Guardian

The good news, Dr. Kosinski said, is that most healthy people can actually manage a big meal, though how the human body handles such an onslaught is both impressive and slightly alarming.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

He paused, slightly alarmed.

The New York Times

I was slightly alarmed.

The Guardian - Books

The second-year student looks slightly alarmed.

The Guardian - Travel

"Yeah," Ladd said, looking slightly alarmed.

The New Yorker

They were slightly alarmed as the surf gushed underneath.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly alarming" when you want to express a moderate level of concern or unease without causing undue panic. It's suitable for situations that are somewhat unsettling but not critically dangerous.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly alarming" to describe truly dangerous or critical situations. It can downplay the severity and create a false sense of security. For serious issues, use stronger terms like "deeply concerning" or "critically dangerous".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly alarming" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. As noted by Ludwig, it's used to express a mild sense of worry or unease about something. This contrasts with stronger terms that indicate higher levels of concern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly alarming" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, employed to denote a mild sense of concern or unease. Ludwig confirms its appropriateness for describing situations that are somewhat disturbing but not critically dangerous. While its frequency is uncommon, the phrase appears primarily in News & Media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. Alternatives include "somewhat disconcerting" or "mildly troubling", depending on the desired tone and emphasis. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations that warrant a moderate, rather than an exaggerated, level of concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mildly alarming

Emphasizes the lack of intensity of the 'alarming' feeling.

slightly disturbing

Synonym using 'disturbing' to emphasize the unsettling element.

somewhat disconcerting

Replaces 'alarming' with 'disconcerting' for a more formal tone.

mildly unsettling

Substitutes 'alarming' with 'unsettling' to soften the impact.

a touch unsettling

Uses 'unsettling' and 'a touch' to create a delicate expression.

a bit worrying

Uses 'worrying' instead of 'alarming' to express concern.

rather disturbing

Emphasizes the unsettling nature more strongly than 'alarming'.

somewhat frightening

Replaces 'alarming' with 'frightening', focusing on the fear aspect.

a little concerning

Uses 'concerning' instead of 'alarming' for a milder effect.

somewhat scary

Replaces 'alarming' with 'scary' to convey a fearful response.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly alarming" in a sentence?

The phrase "slightly alarming" is used to describe something that is a little worrying or unsettling. For example, "The increase in errors was "slightly alarming", but we addressed the issue quickly".

What's the difference between "slightly alarming" and "very alarming"?

"Slightly alarming" indicates a mild level of concern, while "very alarming" suggests a much higher degree of worry or danger. Use "slightly alarming" for minor issues and very alarming for significant threats.

What can I say instead of "slightly alarming"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat concerning", "mildly troubling", or "a bit worrying" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "slightly alarming" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly alarming" is suitable for formal writing as it conveys a moderate level of concern without being overly dramatic. However, consider alternatives like "somewhat disconcerting" for a more professional tone.