Disconcerting vs. Concerning – Which is Correct?

While both disconcerting and concerning relate to a sense of unease, they convey distinct nuances. Disconcerting implies something unsettling that disrupts composure or order, causing confusion or awkwardness. Concerning, on the other hand, means something that causes worry, anxiety, or interest, often indicating a matter of importance or potential trouble.

Disconcerting or Concerning – Which is Correct?

Both “disconcerting” and “concerning” are correct and widely used in American English, but they describe different types of unease or attention. The core difference lies in the nature of the feeling they evoke. “Disconcerting” refers to something that disturbs one’s composure, self-possession, or order, often leading to a feeling of awkwardness, confusion, or mild shock. It’s about an unsettling disruption. “Concerning” refers to something that causes worry, anxiety, or a serious interest, often indicating a problem or something that needs attention. It’s about a matter of importance or potential trouble.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, think of the root words: “disconcert” and “concern.”

• Disconcerting: Think “DISRUPT composure.” If something is disconcerting, it throws you off balance, makes you feel awkward, or breaks your concentration. It causes a disruption to your mental or emotional state.
• Concerning: Think “CONCERN for well-being/importance.” If something is concerning, it makes you worry, feel anxious, or signals that something serious needs attention. It’s a matter of importance that generates worry.

You can also use the “Swap Test”:

• If you can replace the word with “unsettling” or “awkward,” use disconcerting.
• If you can replace the word with “worrying” or “serious,” use concerning.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Disconcerting	Adjective	Causing one to feel unsettled, confused, or awkward; disturbing one’s composure.	His sudden, silent appearance was quite disconcerting.
Concerning	Adjective / Preposition	Causing worry, anxiety, or apprehension; of serious importance. (As a preposition, “regarding” or “about”).	The rise in unemployment is a concerning trend. / He asked a question concerning the new policy.

How to Use Disconcerting

The word “disconcerting” is primarily used as an adjective to describe something that causes a feeling of uneasiness, confusion, or awkwardness by disturbing one’s composure or order. It often implies a mild but noticeable disruption to one’s mental or emotional state. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Example 1: The silence from the usually bustling office was quite disconcerting.

Example 2: She found his direct, unwavering stare to be rather disconcerting.

Example 3: The unexpected change in the flight schedule was a disconcerting development for the travelers.

What are the different forms of Disconcerting?

“Disconcerting” itself is the present participle form of the verb “disconcert,” often used as an adjective. Here are related forms:

• Verb: disconcert (to disturb the composure of; unsettle)
• Past Tense/Past Participle: disconcerted (feeling unsettled or confused)
• Noun: disconcertion (the state of being disconcerted; confusion)

Etymology of the word Disconcerting

“Disconcerting” comes from the verb “disconcert,” which originated in the early 18th century from French disconcerter, meaning “to disturb, throw into disorder.” This is formed from dis- (expressing reversal) and concerter (to bring into agreement, from Latin concertare “to contend,” later “to harmonize”). The sense of “throwing out of harmony” or “disturbing composure” is key to its meaning.

How to Use Concerning

The word “concerning” can function as an adjective, a present participle, or a preposition. As an adjective, it describes something that causes worry, anxiety, or apprehension, often indicating a serious matter that requires attention. As a preposition, it means “about” or “regarding.” It is widely used in both formal and informal settings.

Example 1 (Adjective): The doctor received some concerning test results about his patient.

Example 2 (Adjective): There has been a concerning increase in cyberattacks recently.

Example 3 (Preposition): We had a meeting concerning the budget cuts.

What are the different forms of Concerning?

“Concerning” is the present participle of the verb “concern,” often used as an adjective or preposition. Here are related forms:

• Verb: concern (to relate to; be of importance to; worry)
• Past Tense/Past Participle: concerned (worried; involved or interested in)
• Noun: concern (worry; a matter of interest or importance)

Etymology of the word Concerning

“Concerning” stems from the verb “concern,” which dates back to the late 14th century from Old French concerner, meaning “to regard, touch, relate to.” This in turn comes from Latin concernere, a compound of com- (“with, together”) and cernere (“to sift, perceive, decide”). The sense of “having reference to” or “being of importance to” evolved into “to cause anxiety or worry.”

Related Concepts

Understanding related grammatical and linguistic concepts can further clarify the distinct uses of “disconcerting” and “concerning.”

• Connotation: Both words carry negative connotations, but their specific emotional “flavor” differs. “Disconcerting” connotes a sense of awkwardness, confusion, or mild shock, while “concerning” connotes worry, anxiety, or seriousness.
• Adjectival Nuance: English is rich in adjectives that describe emotional states. Recognizing that words like “disconcerting” and “concerning” are not interchangeable, but rather precise tools for conveying specific shades of meaning, enhances communication accuracy.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “There was something profoundly disconcerting about the way he always seemed to know what I was thinking.” – From a contemporary mystery novel.
• “The report detailed several concerning findings regarding the safety standards of the new product line.” – From a news article.
• “Her laughter, usually so bright, had a thin, almost brittle quality that was deeply disconcerting.” – Describing a character in a drama.
• “The silence from the control tower after repeated attempts to establish contact was increasingly concerning.” – From a thriller.
• “The artist’s latest installation, featuring distorted reflections, was designed to be deliberately disconcerting to viewers.” – From an art critique.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The sudden drop in stock prices was quite ________ for investors.
2. She found his habit of staring over her shoulder while she worked rather ________.
3. The teacher received a ________ note from the principal about the student’s behavior.
4. His ability to mimic voices perfectly was both impressive and a little ________.
5. The lack of progress on the environmental issues is deeply ________ to many activists.

Answer Key

1. concerning
2. disconcerting
3. concerning
4. disconcerting
5. concerning

Disconcerting Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Unsettling	Causing an emotional disturbance or a feeling of unease.
Disturbing	Causing anxiety or mild shock; interfering with peace or calm.
Awkward	Causing discomfort or embarrassment due to clumsiness or lack of grace.
Perplexing	Completely baffling or confusing.

Concerning Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Worrying	Causing one to feel anxious or troubled.
Troubling	Causing distress or anxiety.
Serious	Demanding careful consideration or attention; grave.
Alarming	Causing a feeling of fear or apprehension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “disconcerting” and “concerning” be used interchangeably?
No, they carry distinct meanings. “Disconcerting” implies an unsettling disruption to composure, while “concerning” implies worry or seriousness about a matter.

Question 2: Which word is stronger in conveying a negative feeling?
“Concerning” often implies a more serious or weighty negative feeling, such as anxiety or grave apprehension, especially when referring to problems or risks. “Disconcerting” is typically milder, referring more to awkwardness or minor confusion.

Question 3: Is “concerning” always about negative things?
While often associated with negative or serious matters, “concerning” can also be used neutrally as a preposition meaning “about” or “regarding,” as in “a discussion concerning the new project.” However, as an adjective, it almost always signals something that evokes worry or serious attention.

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between “disconcerting” and “concerning” allows for more precise and impactful communication. While both evoke a sense of unease, “disconcerting” speaks to a disruption of composure or an unsettling awkwardness, whereas “concerning” points to an issue that causes worry or demands serious attention. Understanding these nuances enriches your vocabulary and ensures your message is interpreted exactly as intended.

Pro Tip: In professional writing, choosing the correct word reflects not only your linguistic accuracy but also your ability to convey precise emotional and situational context. Using “concerning” for a minor awkwardness or “disconcerting” for a serious threat can dilute your message and impact your credibility.