this is disturbing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is disturbing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express discomfort or concern about a situation, event, or piece of information that you find unsettling. Example: "After reading the report on the recent events, I must say, this is disturbing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

All of this would not matter except a huge number of people are getting their perception of what dance is from watching Strictly, and this is disturbing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This is disturbing.

The New York Times

The Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons expounds on why this is disturbing.

The New York Times - Sports

This is disturbing both in its misunderstanding of the issues and its heavy handed choreography.

The Guardian

It knows this is disturbing the homeostasis of your body and will try to slow you down as a result.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is disturbing on many levels.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"This is disturbed, irrational behaviour," Mousa says.

The Guardian

All this is disturbed by industrial noise ("anthropophony"), and environental destruction.

The Guardian - Books

How ENC cell chain migration evolves into a ganglionated network, and how this is disturbed in some pathologies, is not well understood.

F1000Research

This was disturbed by the entry of Sky Italia, owned by News Corporation, in 2003.

The Economist

This may involve a straightforward choice - "OK, you know that being this loud is disturbing everyone else.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is disturbing" when you want to express that something is causing you unease, anxiety, or moral discomfort. It's effective in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing "this is disturbing" in extremely casual conversations where simpler expressions of dislike or disagreement would suffice. Save it for situations that genuinely provoke a sense of unease or concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is disturbing" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing the speaker's negative reaction to a situation or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used to convey unease or concern.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Arts

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is disturbing" effectively conveys a feeling of unease, concern, or moral outrage. As Ludwig AI reports, it is considered grammatically correct and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it serves as an evaluative statement to express negativity toward a situation. Alternative phrases include "this is alarming" and "this is concerning". When wielding the phrase, it is vital to acknowledge that it may come across as stark, therefore, it may be wisely used for situations that genuinely warrant profound feelings of unease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is concerning

Focuses on the worrisome nature of the issue.

this is troubling

Highlights the problem or difficulty caused by the situation.

this is unsettling

Indicates a feeling of unease or discomfort.

this is worrisome

Similar to "concerning", but may suggest a more prolonged state of anxiety.

this is alarming

Emphasizes the potential danger or urgency of the situation.

this is horrifying

Highlights the terrifying or frightening aspects of the situation.

this is appalling

Suggests moral outrage or shock.

this is dreadful

Implies a sense of horror or extreme unpleasantness.

this is sickening

Indicates strong disgust or revulsion.

this is regrettable

Expresses sorrow or disappointment about the situation.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "this is disturbing"?

Saying "this is disturbing" means that something is causing you to feel worried, anxious, or morally troubled. It indicates a negative emotional response to a situation, event, or piece of information.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "this is disturbing"?

It is appropriate to use the phrase when you want to express that something is causing you discomfort or concern. It's suitable in situations ranging from news reports to personal experiences that you find unsettling.

What are some alternatives to saying "this is disturbing"?

You can use alternatives like "this is alarming", "this is concerning", or "this is troubling" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "this is disturbing" compare to "this is unsettling"?

"This is disturbing" and "this is unsettling" are very similar. "This is disturbing" can imply a stronger sense of moral concern or outrage, while "this is unsettling" often focuses on a general feeling of unease or discomfort.