big distress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "big distress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant level of suffering or emotional pain experienced by someone. Example: "After hearing the news of the disaster, she was in big distress and struggled to cope with her feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She was in very big distress when she jumped off that bus and got on the phone to me to come and get her.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Howard Marks is chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, the world's biggest distressed-debt investor.

Forbes

Bruce Karsh is co-chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, the world's biggest distressed-debt investor.

Forbes

A midyear checkup of Orlando's housing market also shows areas within Orange and Seminole counties that have the most sales, biggest distress-sale markets and greatest affordability so far this year.

Los Angeles Times

But it is no surprise that even in times of national distress, big business acts as if it, not the nation, is the aggrieved party -- and that it seeks preferred treatment in Washington.

The New York Times

In an e-mail exchange with VICE, he cited what he believes are the two big indicators of distress in dogs as determined by doctors: "exceptionally dry, heavy panting, followed by the dog's tongue turning a bluish color".

Vice

This fact, though it might distress the big chiefs and perhaps depress the television ratings, could be a blessing in disguise.

The New York Times - Sports

A big reason for the distress is the BMA's success in negotiating lucrative pay deals for its own members.New contracts for hospital consultants and family doctors (GPs) are proving far more costly than the government expected.

The Economist

With these big names in financial distress, look for this trend to continue.

Forbes

The big brown eyes radiate distress.

Vice

Some of the indications for the last caesarean sections were fetal distress, malpresentations, big baby, failed induction and CPD.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "big distress" to emphasize a significant level of emotional suffering or hardship. Ensure the context clearly supports the use of this phrase, as it can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "severe distress".

Common error

Avoid using "big distress" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives such as "severe distress" or "significant hardship" to maintain a consistent tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big distress" functions as a noun phrase, where "big" modifies the noun "distress". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating its role in describing a significant level of suffering or emotional pain.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "big distress" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe significant emotional suffering or hardship. Ludwig AI confirms it is usable in written English. While understandable, it is relatively rare and leans toward the informal side, being more common in news and media contexts. For more formal situations, alternatives like "severe distress" or "considerable hardship" may be more appropriate. When using "big distress", ensure the context supports the emphasis on the magnitude of the distress being described. The phrase serves to highlight the intensity of the suffering experienced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe distress

Emphasizes a higher degree of intensity of the distress experienced.

great anguish

Focuses on the mental or emotional suffering associated with distress.

profound suffering

Highlights the depth and intensity of the suffering.

intense sorrow

Emphasizes the feeling of sadness and grief.

deep misery

Focuses on the state of unhappiness and suffering.

considerable hardship

Highlights the difficult conditions and challenges faced.

significant difficulty

Emphasizes the level of challenge or problem encountered.

acute affliction

Focuses on the pain and suffering caused by a particular condition or event.

substantial trouble

Highlights the significant problems or difficulties experienced.

extreme adversity

Emphasizes the challenging and unfavorable circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "big distress" in a sentence?

You can use "big distress" to describe a state of significant emotional or psychological suffering. For example: "After losing her job, she was in "big distress" and needed support from her family."

What's a more formal way to say "big distress"?

More formal alternatives to "big distress" include "severe distress", "significant hardship", or "considerable difficulty". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "big distress" appropriate for academic writing?

While understandable, "big distress" may be considered too informal for academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "severe distress" or "profound suffering" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "big distress" and "great distress"?

"Big distress" and "great distress" are quite similar, but "great distress" is often perceived as slightly more formal and widely accepted in various contexts. "Big distress" might be more suitable for informal conversations or narratives.