cause distress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause distress" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations, actions, or events that lead to emotional or psychological discomfort for someone. Example: "The sudden news of the layoffs can cause distress among the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He vocalizes options that may cause distress.

The New York Times

Some autistic people may not recognize why they cause distress; psychopaths don't care that they cause distress.

The New York Times

First, the court noted the particular ability of invasive photos to cause distress.

The Guardian

This wasn't said to make a point, it was said in order to cause distress.

The Guardian

The last thing that charities will want to do is to cause distress to the public.

The Guardian

"This is a concerted campaign by malicious and despicable individuals to cause distress to Neil Lennon.

The Guardian - Sport

However, when they become frequent – and cause distress and relationship problems – they can usually be treated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I know that each death is a tragedy and will cause distress for family and friends.

The Guardian

But can studying Durkheim's analysis of 19th century suicide statistics cause distress?

The Guardian

This is what the judges are preventing, particularly when publication would cause distress to a family.

The Guardian

And then there are other people's perceptions of his condition, which can also cause distress.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "cause distress", consider the degree of emotional impact you want to convey. Alternatives like "cause anxiety" or "cause unease" might be more appropriate for milder situations, while "inflict suffering" or "induce anguish" suit more severe contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "cause distress" when a milder term would be more accurate. Overusing emotionally charged language can diminish the impact of your writing and make it seem melodramatic. Instead, consider if alternatives like "cause concern" or "create unease" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause distress" functions as a verb phrase, where "cause" acts as a transitive verb and "distress" serves as its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it is a proper and usable English expression. Examples show it describing actions or situations that result in emotional or psychological harm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause distress" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something leads to emotional or psychological suffering. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is valid in the English language. It is used across various contexts, particularly in news and media and scientific writing. When using "cause distress", it's important to consider the appropriate degree of emotional impact and choose alternative phrases like "cause anxiety" or "inflict suffering" depending on the specific situation. Common errors involve overstating the emotional impact when milder terms would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lead to suffering

Highlights the action of guiding or resulting in suffering.

inflict suffering

Focuses on the active imposition of pain or hardship.

provoke anxiety

Emphasizes the creation of worry and unease.

induce anguish

Highlights the generation of severe mental or physical suffering.

generate unease

Stresses the creation of discomfort or anxiety.

create hardship

Emphasizes the production of difficult conditions or circumstances.

trigger discomfort

Emphasizes that something acts as a stimulus for discomfort

foment despair

Focuses on instigating a feeling of hopelessness.

precipitate sorrow

Highlights the sudden causing of sadness.

occasion grief

Focuses on being the reason for mourning or sadness.

FAQs

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

You can use "cause distress" to describe actions, events, or situations that lead to emotional or psychological discomfort. For example, "The graphic content warning was issued because the video might "cause distress" to viewers."

What are some alternatives to "cause distress"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "create anxiety", "inflict suffering", or "generate unease".

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

The choice between "cause distress" and "cause suffering" depends on the severity of the situation. "Cause suffering" implies a greater degree of pain and hardship than "cause distress".

What's the difference between "cause distress" and "cause discomfort"?

"Cause distress" typically refers to emotional or psychological pain, while "cause discomfort" can refer to physical or emotional unease. For instance, "The news may "cause distress"", whereas, "The tight shoes may "cause discomfort"".