Cool MateDisturbing vs The noise is almost unbearable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Disturbing
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
The noise is almost unbearable
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Disturbing
| Disturbing | The noise is almost unbearable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈstɜːbɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈstɜːrbɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðə nɔɪz ɪz ˈɔːlməʊst ʌnˈbɛərəbl//🇺🇸 //ðə nɔɪz ɪz ˈɔlmoʊst ʌnˈbɛrəbəl// |
| Meaning | causing worry or upset | The sound is very hard to stand. |
| Example | a disturbing piece of news | At the concert, the noise is almost unbearable for some people. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, become, remain, extremely, fairly, very | almost unbearable noise, unbearable sound, bearable conditions, unbearable pain, tolerable levels |
| Antonyms | comforting, reassuring, pleasing | bearable, tolerable |
| Common mistakes | Inappropriately used for cheerful or positive events., Confused with 'disturbed', which means troubled or affected., Used as a noun instead of an adjective. | Using 'bearable' instead of 'unbearable'., Saying 'the noise is unbearable' without 'almost'., Confusing 'noise' with 'sound' when they are different. |
| Usage notes | Use 'disturbing' to describe something that makes people feel anxious or uncomfortable. It can refer to images, news, or behavior, but avoid using it in overly casual conversations. | Use in situations where excessive sound is present, such as concerts or busy environments. Avoid in casual conversations unless necessary. |
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Frequently asked questions: Disturbing vs The noise is almost unbearable
What's the difference between Disturbing and The noise is almost unbearable?
Disturbing: causing worry or upset The noise is almost unbearable: The sound is very hard to stand.
Which is more common: Disturbing and The noise is almost unbearable?
Disturbing is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Disturbing: a disturbing piece of news The noise is almost unbearable: At the concert, the noise is almost unbearable for some people.
Can I use Disturbing and The noise is almost unbearable interchangeably?
Not always. Disturbing and The noise is almost unbearable are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.