was disturbed

USAGE SUMMARY

"was disturbed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a past event or state of being that caused discomfort, disruption, or disruption. Example: The peace and quiet of the neighborhood was disturbed by the loud construction noises coming from the nearby building site.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No one was disturbed.

The Guardian - Books

Inside, he was disturbed.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was disturbed.

The New York Times

I was disturbed by Profs.

The New York Times - Magazine

Perhaps his concentration was disturbed.

The New York Times - Sports

I was disturbed by this.

The New Yorker

"He was disturbed, mentally," she said.

The New Yorker

"I was disturbed by other things.

The New York Times - Books

My mother thought I was disturbed.

The New Yorker

Scott was disturbed to hear that.

The New York Times - Sports

Stacy Gutierrez, 36, was disturbed by the execution.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was disturbed" to describe an emotional state, ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the disturbance. For example, "I was disturbed by the graphic content of the film."

Common error

Avoid overusing "was disturbed" in passive voice constructions, which can weaken your writing. Instead, consider active voice alternatives that directly attribute the disturbance to its source, creating a more impactful sentence. For example, instead of "The meeting was disturbed by the interruption", write "The interruption disturbed the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was disturbed" primarily functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject experienced a disruption or negative emotional impact. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was disturbed" is a versatile expression used to convey a sense of disruption or emotional upset. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media, where it serves to report on reactions to events or circumstances. While its register is generally neutral, leaning towards formal, the specific nuance of the disturbance can range from mild annoyance to significant emotional distress.

When using "was disturbed", consider the context and the desired level of formality. While it effectively communicates a state of disruption, avoiding overuse and opting for active voice constructions can strengthen your writing. Remember that there are alternatives to "was disturbed" depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey, like "felt uneasy", "was disrupted" or "was concerned".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt uneasy

Shifts the focus to the subjective emotional experience of discomfort or apprehension.

felt troubled

Highlights the emotional distress or worry caused by something.

was concerned

Emphasizes a state of worry or anxiety about something.

was disrupted

Focuses on the interruption or disturbance of a process or state.

was bothered

Indicates a feeling of mild annoyance or irritation.

was agitated

Suggests a state of restlessness or unease.

was upset

Indicates a state of emotional distress or unhappiness.

was shaken

Implies a strong emotional impact or shock.

was unsettled

Suggests a feeling of unease or lack of stability.

was perturbed

Implies a feeling of anxiety or disquiet.

FAQs

How can I use "was disturbed" in a sentence?

You can use "was disturbed" to describe feeling emotionally upset, or to indicate that something was interrupted or altered. For example, "I was disturbed by the news" or "The construction noise /s/disturbed the peace and quiet/ of the neighborhood".

What's a more formal alternative to "was disturbed"?

More formal alternatives include "was unsettled", "was perturbed", or "was disquieted". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts where a more refined tone is desired.

What can I say instead of "I was disturbed by this"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, you can use alternatives such as "I felt uneasy", "I felt troubled", or "I /s/was concerned/ about this".

Is it always appropriate to use "was disturbed" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "was disturbed" can sometimes sound overly dramatic in formal writing. Consider whether a more neutral term like "/s/was concerned/" or "was unsettled" might be more appropriate, depending on the context and the level of formality required.