Wording help please?

Question

Hi,Would you please comment on these sentences for me?Demonstrations succeeded in [ disturbing / disrupting ] the meeting. (Both can be possible however  "disrupting" is more extreme, and  chaotic.The building renovation work is creating constant noise, dust and [ disturbance / disruption ] to all the residents.(Both can be possible again "disruption" is more  extreme, and  chaotic.He was charged with causing a [ disturbance / disruption ] after the game. (Both can be possible again "disruption" is more  extreme, and  chaotic.The [ disturbance / disruption ] of the local wildlife by tourist. (Only "disturbance" is suitable).Thanks John Aki

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

John AkiDemonstrations succeeded in [ disturbing / disrupting ] the meeting. (Both can be possible however "disrupting" is more extreme, and chaotic.

You mean "both are possible"; "can" is redundant with "possible". "However" is not a coordinating conjunction, so you have made a run-on sentence. "Both are possible. However, "disrupting" is more extreme, and chaotic."

I would not say that "disturb" is possible. It is far too weak for what demonstrations would do to a meeting.

John AkiHe was charged with causing a [ disturbance / disruption ] after the game. (Both can be possible again "disruption" is more extreme, and chaotic.

Watch your typing.

"Disruption" wants something to have been disrupted, and there is nothing here.

John AkiThe [ disturbance / disruption ] of the local wildlife by tourist. (Only "disturbance" is suitable).

I agree.

John Aki · Answer

disturbance??(??)??:????

There was a minor [ disturbance / disruption ] during the demonstration luckily nobody was injured.(Both can be possible again "disruption" is more extreme, and chaotic. Cheers

John Aki · Answer

There was a minor [ disturbance / disruption ] during the demonstration luckily nobody was injured.(Both can be possible again "disruption" is more extreme, and chaotic. Cheers

CalifJim · Answer

John Aki
Hi,
Would you please comment on these sentences for me?
It might be a good idea to read the discussion below this quotation box before reading the comments beside each sentence.

Demonstrations succeeded in [ disturbing / disrupting ] the meeting. (Both ~~can be~~ are possible however "disrupting" is more extreme, and chaotic.
"disrupting" is better because a meeting is an action in progress.
The building renovation work is creating constant noise, dust and [ disturbance / disruption ] to all the residents.
"disturbance" is better because the noise and dust are annoying the residents. The noise and dust are disturbing the residents, but the noise and dust are disrupting the lives of the residents.
(Both can be possible again "disruption" is more extreme, and chaotic.
He was charged with causing a [ disturbance / disruption ] after the game. (Both can be possible again "disruption" is more extreme, and chaotic. You can 'cause a disturbance'; you don't usually say 'cause a disruption'.
The [ disturbance / ~~disruption~~ ] of the local wildlife by tourist. (Only "disturbance" is suitable).
Yes. 'wildlife' can't be conceived of as a process, so we don't say that we are disrupting it.

Thanks
John Aki

Generally speaking, you disturb a person, animal, or other living thing. A disturbance is something that causes a little harm to that living thing, maybe just by being an annoyance.

disturb the boss, disturb the neighbors, disturb the wildlife, disturb the birds, disturb the seedlings

But you can also disturb more abstract things.

disturb the orbit of a planet, disturb someone's sleep, disturb the peace

You can cause a disturbance or create a disturbance.

But you disrupt an action in progress; you disrupt a process. 'disrupt' is similar to 'interrupt'. After an interruption, the action or process can continue, but after a disruption it is sometimes impossible to continue the action which is disrupted.

disrupt a meeting, disrupt the flow of water, disrupt the flow of gas, disrupt the football game, disrupt the financial markets, disrupt the blood supply to an organ, disrupt the water supply, disrupt a birthday party

We don't usually say cause (or create) a disruption.

CJ

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