that would upset

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that would upset" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential reactions or feelings that may arise from a certain action or situation. Example: "If we cancel the event at the last minute, that would upset many of our attendees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I couldn't think of anything that would upset an Alabama lawyer more," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Not a single picture is displayed here that would upset a person of delicate sensibility.

The New York Times - Arts

They find the status quo comfortable, and they avoid taking action that would upset it.

Harvard Business Review

Kevin was made in 30 days, a punishing pace that would upset many actors.

The Guardian - Film

Similarly, with Israel and Palestine Obama shied away from anything that would upset the lobbies.

The Guardian

Moreover, Malaysians are deeply suspicious of anything that would upset the harmony of their country.

The New York Times

"Anything that would upset the highly profitable VHS rental business was an anathema," he said.

The New York Times

"I do not think the Fed is going to do anything that would upset the equity market," Mr. Gault said.

The New York Times

But Western countries fear Tehran is seeking to build nuclear weapons that would upset the regional power balance.

The New York Times

I wasn't allowed to give him a newspaper in case he read some negative things that would upset him.

The Guardian

He avoided saying directly that Taiwan was independent of the mainland, a phrasing that would upset officials in Beijing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "that would upset", consider the degree of impact you want to convey. Alternatives like "that would annoy" or "that would offend" offer different levels of intensity.

Common error

Avoid constructing overly passive sentences using "that would upset". Instead of "A decision like that would upset many people", try "That decision would upset many people" for more directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that would upset" functions as part of a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing a potential consequence or effect. It indicates a conditional outcome. Examples in Ludwig showcase how it predicts emotional reactions to various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that would upset" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the potential for something to cause unhappiness or disturbance. Ludwig AI confirms that it is frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and business settings. To ensure clear and effective communication, it's important to consider the specific nuance you want to convey, and this can be achieved by considering alternatives, such as "that could disturb" or "that might bother", depending on the intended impact. Avoiding passive voice constructions will also enhance clarity. By understanding these nuances, you can use "that would upset" more effectively in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that could disturb

Replaces "would" with "could", indicating a possibility rather than a certainty of causing upset.

that might bother

Substitutes "upset" with "bother", suggesting a milder form of disturbance or annoyance.

that could offend

Replaces "upset" with "offend", implying a potential violation of someone's feelings or principles.

that might displease

Substitutes "upset" with "displease", indicating a potential cause of dissatisfaction or unhappiness.

that would agitate

Replaces "upset" with "agitate", implying a potential cause of anxiety or unease.

that could unsettle

Substitutes "upset" with "unsettle", indicating a potential cause of instability or nervousness.

that might perturb

Replaces "upset" with "perturb", suggesting a potential cause of worry or disturbance.

that would discombobulate

Substitutes "upset" with "discombobulate", indicating a potential cause of confusion or disorientation.

that could ruffle feathers

Uses an idiomatic expression implying a potential cause of annoyance or irritation.

something likely to cause offense

Rephrases the entire expression to focus on the likelihood of causing offense.

FAQs

How can I use "that would upset" in a sentence?

Use "that would upset" to describe an action or situation that is likely to cause someone to feel unhappy, angry, or disappointed. For example, "Canceling the project now is "something that would upset" the entire team".

What can I say instead of "that would upset"?

You can use alternatives like "that could disturb", "that might bother", or "that could offend" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "that would upset" or "that will upset"?

Both are grammatically correct but convey slightly different meanings. "That would upset" suggests a hypothetical or conditional scenario, while "that will upset" indicates a future certainty. Choose the option that best fits the context of your sentence.

Which is correct, "something that would upset" or "something what would upset"?

"Something that would upset" is the correct phrasing. "What" is generally not used in this type of relative clause. "Something "that would upset" the community is unacceptable" is the correct formation.