we were disturbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were disturbed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express feelings of unease or discomfort regarding a situation or event. Example: "After hearing the news about the accident, we were disturbed and needed some time to process our emotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

That's why we said we were disturbed by the latest action".

The New York Times

We were disturbed to learn that health care workers shunned the swine flu vaccine in droves.

The New York Times

"We were disturbed at the ineffectiveness of the Advertising Standards Authority, which is an industry self-regulation system.

The Guardian

"We were disturbed by the photos," said Michael S. Clendenin, director of media relations with Con Edison.

The New York Times

"We were disturbed to learn that Telegram's public channels were being used by Isis to spread their propaganda," it said.

The Guardian

But just as we were setting up we were disturbed by the soft jingle of harness and the barking of military orders.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

We were disturbing them.' ?

The Guardian

We got kicked out because the music was too loud and we were disturbing the neighbors.

Vice

Don't you understand: we've done 40,000 of these pickets, and we'd be in jail if we were disturbing the peace.

Huffington Post

We don't even know if it was about the nudity; it could have been the fact we were disturbing the ducks.

Vice

We are disturbed that the issue has been escalated".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were disturbed" to express a moderate level of unease or concern about a situation. It's suitable when you want to convey that something has caused you discomfort without being overly dramatic.

Common error

Avoid using "we were disturbed" when a stronger emotional reaction is more appropriate. For instance, if describing a truly horrifying event, consider phrases like "we were appalled" or "we were horrified" to better convey the severity of your feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were disturbed" primarily functions as a statement expressing a feeling of unease, concern, or mild shock. It describes a reaction to something perceived as negative or unsettling, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis of example sentences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were disturbed" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a feeling of unease or concern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used in news and media to convey a measured response to unsettling events. While it's suitable for various contexts, remember to choose stronger alternatives like "we were appalled" or "we were horrified" if the situation warrants a more intense emotional expression. The phrase carries a neutral register and is most commonly found in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we felt troubled

Expresses a sense of worry or unease, similar to "we were disturbed", but with a slightly softer connotation.

we were unsettled

Indicates a feeling of instability or discomfort, akin to being disturbed but focuses more on the lack of peace.

we were concerned

Highlights a sense of worry or apprehension, sharing the element of unease but placing emphasis on potential negative outcomes.

we were alarmed

Implies a sudden feeling of fear or shock, suggesting a stronger reaction than simply being disturbed.

we were bothered

Suggests a feeling of annoyance or irritation, presenting a milder form of disturbance than the original phrase.

we were dismayed

Expresses disappointment and discouragement, implying a negative emotional impact from the disturbance.

we were upset

Indicates a general feeling of unhappiness or distress, capturing the negative emotional response to being disturbed.

we were shocked

Conveys a strong feeling of surprise and disbelief, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the disturbing event.

we were horrified

Represents the most extreme form of disgust and shock, signifying a very strong negative reaction to the disturbance.

we were agitated

Suggests a state of heightened anxiety or restlessness, reflecting a disturbance that has caused emotional unease.

FAQs

What does "we were disturbed" mean?

The phrase "we were disturbed" expresses a feeling of unease, concern, or mild shock in response to something unpleasant or unexpected. It suggests that the event or information caused a degree of discomfort or worry.

How can I use "we were disturbed" in a sentence?

You can use "we were disturbed" to describe your reaction to news, events, or situations that caused you or a group unease. For example, "We were disturbed by the news of the factory closure".

What are some alternatives to "we were disturbed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "we were concerned", "we were troubled", or "we were unsettled" to express similar feelings.

Is "we were disturbed" formal or informal?

"We were disturbed" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression. It's appropriate for both professional and casual contexts where you want to express concern or unease without being overly dramatic.