with great consternation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with great consternation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of anxiety or dismay about a situation or event. Example: "She received the news of the layoffs with great consternation, fearing for her job security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In Saigon we learned with great consternation, then sorrow, that the four, including our beloved Henri, were missing and most likely dead.

The New York Times

A handful of comments and tweets yesterday accused me of not "getting it," and it's with great consternation that I admit that I absolutely don't.

TechCrunch

I read today with great consternation a blog by Eric Zuesse, who writes convincingly that sea levels will rise 7.5 feet for every degree of global warming that humans cause.

Huffington Post

It was with great consternation, therefore, to learn that, according to a memo sent to ROTC programs at the University of San Francisco and other colleges and universities last month, they have effectively been prohibited from completing any assignments that professors may make involving any material released through WikiLeaks.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

RARELY can a film have been awaited by politicians with greater consternation than "Il caimano" ("The Cayman"), which came out on March 24th right in the midst of Italy's general election campaign.

The Economist

According to Procopius (The Vandalic War, I.10), the news of Justinian's decision to go to war with the Vandals caused great consternation among the capital's elites, in whose minds the disaster of 468 was still fresh.

Wikipedia

If this were as true as it sounds, the news would obviously provoke great consternation in any parent with a child smaller than average — a status that most of us, thanks to Galton and his percentiles, know by heart.

The New York Times - Health

The problems with the so-called My Integrated Student Information System has "caused great consternation" among families, she added.

Los Angeles Times

However, that deal has caused great consternation.

The New York Times

Germany's numbers are falling fast to their great consternation.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He initiated the call after learning there was great consternation in Washington," a senior official said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using "with great consternation". In informal settings, simpler expressions like "with great worry" or "with much concern" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "with great consternation" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound stilted or overly dramatic in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with great consternation" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a state is experienced. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and contributes descriptive detail to the sentence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with great consternation" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for conveying a strong sense of anxiety or dismay. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, while its usage is relatively rare, it is appropriate in formal contexts such as news reports or academic writing. When considering alternative phrases, think about the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as alarm, worry, or unease. Be mindful of the formality of the situation and avoid using this phrase in casual conversation, where simpler expressions are more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with considerable alarm

Emphasizes a heightened sense of alert and concern.

with significant worry

Directly highlights the feeling of anxiety and concern.

with profound unease

Conveys a deep feeling of discomfort and apprehension.

with deep anxiety

Focuses specifically on the anxious aspect of the feeling.

with marked apprehension

Highlights the anticipation of future trouble or misfortune.

with considerable disquiet

Indicates a state of disturbance and lack of peace.

with much trepidation

Emphasizes a feeling of fear or agitation about something that might happen.

with great misgivings

Highlights feelings of doubt or apprehension about the outcome.

with marked concern

Emphasizes the level of worry and attention given to a situation.

with a sense of foreboding

Implies a strong feeling that something bad is going to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "with great consternation" in a sentence?

You can use "with great consternation" to describe how someone reacts to troubling news or a worrying situation. For example, "The community learned "with great consternation" about the proposed highway construction".

What are some alternatives to "with great consternation"?

Some alternatives include "with great worry", "with significant alarm", "with deep concern", or "with profound unease". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "with great consternation" a formal expression?

Yes, "with great consternation" is considered a formal expression. It is best suited for formal writing or speech when you want to convey a strong sense of anxiety or dismay in a sophisticated manner.

What's the difference between "with concern" and ""with great consternation""?

"With concern" implies a general feeling of worry or interest, while ""with great consternation"" indicates a more significant and often distressing level of anxiety or dismay.