I found it offensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I found it offensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing your feelings about something that you perceive as disrespectful or hurtful. Example: "After reading the article, I found it offensive due to its insensitive portrayal of certain communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

As rather secular Jew myself, I found it offensive.

The Guardian

Furthermore, I found it offensive that he would rather visit any place on earth than Israel, because to him "Israel has always felt less like a country than a politically iffy burden".

The New York Times - Travel

I found it offensive and was stewing on it.' Sylvia, who works with young people advising them how to prepare for employment, planned to ask Sophie whether she and her friends would visit youth clubs.

The Guardian

As an Asian-American poet and editor, I found it offensive and racially insensitive, as did many other readers, especially in its use of words such as "threat" and "no stress"—language that is reminiscent of the Yellow Peril of the late nineteenth century, in which people of Asian descent were viewed as dangerous to the Western world.

The New Yorker

So they were always curious about me, so when [HIV care organization] dropped off those meds, she Googled it on her phone and saw that the pharmacy was part of the [HIV care organization] network, and basically she just tried to talk to me about it, but I found it offensive because I just, I didn't want her to know.

Health & Justice

I found it offensive that my "sweet spot", which I would come to understand meant "vagina," needed freshening up with scents other than my own and via a moist towelette, no less.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I find it offensive".

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, I find it offensive.

The New Yorker

"I find it offensive," he says.

Independent

Do I find it offensive?

The Guardian - Film

"I find it offensive," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I found it offensive" to express a personal reaction to something considered disrespectful, insensitive, or inappropriate. Ensure the context clearly explains what you found offensive to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "I found it offensive" for minor disagreements or preferences. Reserve it for situations where genuine disrespect or harm is perceived to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I found it offensive" functions as a declarative statement expressing a subjective negative reaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to communicate that the speaker experienced something as disrespectful or hurtful, as shown in various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I found it offensive" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a personal feeling of offense. Ludwig AI confirms its usability for expressing feelings about something disrespectful or hurtful. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting its use in discussing and reporting on sensitive or controversial topics. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for your offense to avoid ambiguity and maximize clarity. Alternatives include "I was offended by it" or "It struck me as offensive".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I took offense to it

Replaces "found it offensive" with "took offense to it", implying a more immediate and personal reaction.

I was offended by it

Uses a passive voice to express the feeling of being offended, shifting the focus slightly.

I considered it offensive

Expresses a judgment or opinion that something is offensive, rather than a direct emotional reaction.

It rubbed me the wrong way

Employs a more idiomatic expression to indicate a negative reaction or feeling of offense.

It struck me as offensive

Indicates an initial impression of something being offensive.

I was put off by it

Indicates a feeling of being displeased or repelled by something.

I felt insulted by it

Specifically conveys a feeling of being insulted, implying a personal affront.

It was objectionable to me

Uses a more formal tone to express that something was unacceptable or offensive.

I disapproved of it

Expresses a sense of moral or ethical disagreement, which may or may not be due to feeling offended.

It caused me displeasure

More formal and less direct way of expressing offense, focusing on the feeling of displeasure.

FAQs

How can I use "I found it offensive" in a sentence?

You can use "I found it offensive" to express your personal feeling of being offended by something. For example, "After reading the article, "I found it offensive" due to its insensitive portrayal of certain communities."

What are some alternatives to saying "I found it offensive"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I was offended by it", "I took offense to it", or "it struck me as offensive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "I was offended" or "I found it offensive"?

Both are acceptable, but ""I found it offensive"" often implies a more reasoned assessment, while "I was offended" suggests a more immediate emotional reaction.

What's the difference between "I found it offensive" and "I was insulted"?

""I found it offensive"" is a broader statement that something was displeasing or inappropriate. "I was insulted" specifically means you felt deliberately disrespected or slighted.