somewhat turbulent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat turbulent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or period that is characterized by instability or unrest, but not to an extreme degree. Example: "The negotiations were somewhat turbulent, with frequent disagreements between the parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The drinking was only part of a somewhat turbulent private life.

The Guardian - Film

Shorten spent the morning campaigning in western Sydney, following Turnbull's somewhat turbulent morning tea with local MP Fiona Scott there on Wednesday.

The Guardian

The one-two punch by the longtime friends, who have shared somewhat turbulent careers, seems a little like a sitcom written by, yes, Mr. Rosenthal or Mr. Kirschenbaum.

The New York Times - Arts

Delivering a keynote address, BBVA chairman, Francisco González mentioned Apple Pay several times to a frantically scribbling and snapping audience as he painted a somewhat turbulent picture ahead for his company and other big financial institutions.

The Guardian

In one piece here Mr. Zhang repaints a famous work by the traditional 10th-century Chinese painter-scholar Jing Hao in the garishly-colored, somewhat turbulent style of Vincent van Gogh.

The New York Times

Miller grew up in Southern California, in humble and somewhat turbulent circumstances, and was a product of the sport's more egalitarian inclinations, which have been all but abandoned in recent years.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Ak Koyunlu rule in Baghdad (1468 1508) for the most part appears to have been somewhat less turbulent than that of the Kara Koyunlu, though later the Pūrnāk tribe whose chieftains controlled the city intermittently from 1475 to 1508 were pitted against the Mawṣillū tribe in Upper Iraq.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Our friends had had somewhat of a turbulent 2014, and although our year was calmer, it had been our first one without my dad, who'd passed away last December.

Huffington Post

The dawn of the 1970s would herald two new marriages: one domestic, contented and ongoing; the other artistic, turbulent and somewhat less predictable.

Independent

"Planetary cores can scatter off turbulent fluctuations, somewhat like boats tossed about by waves in a storm," she says.

Science Magazine

The addition of Artest could be toxic, but his recent history suggests he has somewhat toned down his earlier turbulent behavior.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat turbulent", consider the audience and context. It is suitable for describing situations that are unstable but not extremely chaotic. Ensure your writing reflects this nuance to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat turbulent" when describing extremely chaotic or violent situations. The "somewhat" softens the impact, and an alternative like "highly turbulent" or "chaotic" might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat turbulent" primarily functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun, indicating a state of instability or unrest that is less intense than simply "turbulent". As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is deemed correct for usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat turbulent" is a grammatically sound and usable adjective phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness for use in written English. It’s best used to describe situations characterized by a moderate level of instability or unrest. While not extremely common, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using "somewhat turbulent", it's important to consider the degree of instability you wish to convey, ensuring it aligns with the actual situation to avoid overstatement or understatement. If you are writing a formal piece, be prepared to use other more specialized alternatives. Be careful to avoid exaggeration; "somewhat turbulent" implies a limited degree of disturbance and is unsuitable for describing highly chaotic situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat chaotic

This alternative mirrors the structure of the original phrase using "chaotic" instead of "turbulent".

rather unsettled

Emphasizes the instability, similar to 'somewhat'.

a bit unsettled

Indicates a slight lack of stability or calm.

slightly stormy

Emphasizes the tumultuous nature, but to a limited degree.

moderately unstable

Highlights the lack of stability, but to a limited extent.

reasonably unstable

Highlights the lack of stability, but within reasonable limits.

slightly chaotic

Suggests a mild state of disorder or confusion.

fairly disturbed

Indicates a noticeable level of disruption.

a little rough

Suggests mild difficulties or challenges.

mildly agitated

Describes a state of slight restlessness or excitement.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat turbulent" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat turbulent" to describe periods, relationships, or situations that are unstable or unsettled, but not extremely so. For example, "The negotiations were "somewhat turbulent", with frequent disagreements".

What are some alternatives to "somewhat turbulent"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a bit unsettled", "slightly chaotic", or "moderately unstable" as alternatives to "somewhat turbulent".

Is "somewhat turbulent" too informal for professional writing?

While "somewhat turbulent" is acceptable in many contexts, consider the formality of your document. In highly formal settings, a more precise term like "moderately unstable" or "fairly disrupted" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "somewhat turbulent" and "very turbulent"?

"Somewhat turbulent" indicates a mild or moderate level of instability, while "very turbulent" implies a much higher degree of chaos or disruption. The choice depends on the actual severity of the situation you are describing.