Make Your Point, Jr. > Words in ABC Order > disconcert

Study the words DISCONCERT, DISCONCERTED, and DISCONCERTING: (Source) You probably know that a "concert" is a kind of musical performance, usually with more than one person working together to perform for the audience. (Source) But did you know that "concert" is also a verb? (You spell it the same as the noun, "concert," but you pronounce the verb "kun SERT.") To concert things is to work on them together, or to arrange them together. You can concert with someone, or concert with someone on a project or a plan, meaning you work as a team. We hardly ever use that verb, "concert," but we do often tweak it into an adjective, "concerted." When we talk about concerted efforts, or concerted action, or concerted schemes, we're talking about efforts that people made as a group, or action that people took as a group, or schemes that people planned and pulled off as a group. If you're working in harmony with other people, then you're making a concerted effort. (Source) And you wouldn't like it if someone came along and disconcerted your efforts! If some person or event disconcerts you, or disconcerts your plan or your work, then it messes you up, confuses you, or messes up your plan or your work. It throws everything out of whack. It interrupts your progress or stops you from getting things done. (Source) You feel disconcerted when you're suddenly bothered and confused by something, and you're unable to keep doing what you were trying to do. For example, you might be doing your math homework, zipping right along and answering every question easily, but then a really hard question disconcerts you. You're disconcerted. You're forced to stop, and think, and deal with your confusion. "How should I even approach this problem?" you might ask yourself, disconcerted. (Source) Like that really tough math problem, things are disconcerting when they're suddenly bothersome and confusing, making you stop and struggle, or stop and worry, instead of make progress. For example, it would be disconcerting if your best friend suddenly stopped talking to you. Are they mad? If so, why? You don't know, so you're disconcerted. (Source) Disconcerting things are weird, confusing, and uncomfortable. It can be disconcerting to see your teacher outside of school; you weren't expecting it, and it feels awkward. It can be disconcerting to find a hair in your toothbrush: especially if it's the wrong color! (Source) To sum this up, say that you're disconcerted when you're suddenly confused and thrown off, unable to continue what you were trying to do. And say that things are disconcerting when they throw you off: when they're strange and unsettling.   Make a flash card: You can write your own definition and choose your own picture, or copy mine. Term Definition Picture disconcert to surprise and confuse someone in a way that bothers them and makes them uncomfortable   Write your own sentence! You can use either of the two ideas I'll suggest, or you can invent your own. Include as much detail as you can! (Source)   Write a sentence with the word DISCONCERT: Remember: disconcerted people are confused and weirded out, unable to move forward; and disconcerting things are weird and confusing, stopping you in your tracks. Idea 1: "Disconcerted, I ask (someone), 'Why are you (doing something very weird)?'" Idea 2: "It's disconcerting when you're expecting (something normal to happen), but then (something very odd happens)." You can type in here. When you're done, copy and paste your sentence wherever you'd like it to go.