bring distress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bring distress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of causing someone to feel worry, anxiety, or suffering. Example: "The news of the disaster was enough to bring distress to the entire community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And the elders rose up and said to the young people, If ye choose Jeremy, he will bring distress in your toils and wailing upon your streets.

The New Yorker

It is appalling bad taste and can only bring distress to those who were close to the late princess," he said.

The Guardian

Thus, it will be argued, the eyes are the instrument of seeing, and seeing may bring distress to the soul: hence the Soul may feel sorrow and pain and every other affection that belongs to the body; and from this again will spring desire, the Soul seeking the mending of its instrument.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Having a straight male in control of the UK's Culture Department, who once expressed that same-sex marriage would bring "distress for many", is hardly filling me with confidence that the Tories are willing to undertake the hefty task of tackling homophobia in all other areas.

Independent

The six North Wales councils issued a statement saying they recognised that the release of the report may bring distress to those affected.

BBC

It said: "The North Wales Councils recognise that the release of the report may bring distress to those affected by historic abuse and they encourage anyone who is affected by its release to call one of the numbers below if they need support.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Shattered consumer confidence and a lack of access to funding have brought distress to the global car industry.

Forbes

For Anna, the separation of her parents brought distress and confusion to her life as a child.

HuffPost

We were not able to establish if the interview brought distress after the researcher had left.

BMC Medical Ethics

From the patients' perspectives, there was consensus that, irrespective of how good their consultation experience was, a diagnosis of cancer brought distress and this could not be avoided.

British Journal of Cancer

"More foreclosures bring more distress sales, and more distress sales bring down overall property values," he added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bring distress", consider the intensity and type of negative impact you want to convey. Alternatives like "cause suffering" or "induce anguish" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "bring distress" can sometimes sound melodramatic in formal writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced verbs that specify the type and degree of negative impact, such as "exacerbate", "undermine", or "complicate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring distress" functions as a verb phrase where "bring" is the verb and "distress" is the noun object. It describes the action of causing a state of suffering or hardship. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bring distress" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of causing suffering or hardship. While Ludwig AI indicates it's correct, it is not as common as alternatives like "cause distress". It appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When choosing this phrase, consider the specific type of negative impact you want to emphasize, and be mindful of potentially more precise or nuanced alternatives depending on the context. Be aware that overuse in formal contexts can sound melodramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause suffering

Emphasizes the act of inflicting pain or hardship.

induce anguish

Focuses on causing severe mental or physical suffering.

inflict pain

Focuses on the delivery of physical or emotional pain.

create hardship

Highlights the generation of difficult or adverse conditions.

generate sorrow

Implies the creation of sadness or grief.

provoke anxiety

Indicates the act of stirring up worry or unease.

spark torment

Suggests initiating a state of severe suffering or agony.

lead to despair

Highlights the action of guiding someone towards hopelessness.

precipitate grief

Implies hastening or causing a sudden onset of grief.

foster unease

Suggests promoting a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

FAQs

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

You can use "bring distress" to describe something that causes worry, suffering, or hardship. For example: "The company's financial troubles "bring distress" to its employees".

What are some alternatives to "bring distress"?

Alternatives include "cause suffering", "induce anguish", or "create hardship". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "cause distress" or "bring distress"?

Both "cause distress" and ""bring distress"" are grammatically correct, but "cause distress" is more common. "Bring distress" might be chosen for stylistic variation or emphasis.

What is the difference between "bring distress" and "cause emotional distress"?

"Cause emotional distress" is more specific, indicating a direct impact on someone's emotional state. "Bring distress" is broader and can refer to emotional, physical, or financial hardship.