cause distress for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause distress for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations or actions that lead to emotional pain or discomfort for someone. Example: "The sudden news of the layoffs caused distress for many employees who were uncertain about their future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

The chair of the House of Commons public accounts committee, Margaret Hodge, said that the current backlog and delays in processing claims are unacceptable and will cause distress for vulnerable claimants.

The Guardian

David Pannick, QC for the trust, had argued in court that though there was a "general desirability" to consult, "a caring doctor" might well have spared Tracey a discussion which was going to cause distress for no good reason.

The Guardian

Clearly headache can cause distress for individuals and limit their activities.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Therefore, the Unruh effect does not cause distress for the particle interpretation which the authors see to be fighting a losing battle anyhow because Rindler quanta are not real and the unitary inequivalence of the representations in question has nothing specific to do with conflicting particle ascriptions.

SEP

Both kinds of drugs cause distress for insurers and consumers, but they have very different implications for overall health care spending, and they require different policy solutions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The latest figures mean that the inflation rate, which has nearly tripled in the last year, is causing distress for families — a worry for Chinese leaders who have placed a premium on social stability and have begun allowing China's currency, the yuan, to rise more quickly against the dollar in hope of making imports cheaper.

The New York Times

Also, Rees et al. [41] did not find that these discussions caused distress for most of their patients.

Annals of Intensive Care

The issue can still be present, but, the problem vanishes because it no longer causes distress for you.

Huffington Post

In some cases, physical illness leads to lack of sexual interest or ability, causing distress for one or both partners (and again, such maladies can occur at any age).

Huffington Post

This often resulted in increased fragmentation of care, causing distress for parents.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "cause distress for", ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the distress and the specific individuals or groups affected. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "cause distress for" with overly broad or undefined subjects. Instead of saying "the situation causes distress for people", specify which aspects of the situation and which specific populations are affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause distress for" acts as a verb phrase indicating the action of creating emotional suffering directed towards a specific recipient. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use in various contexts, from health to economics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause distress for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe situations or actions that lead to emotional pain or discomfort. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in news, science, and formal business contexts. While it is considered neutral in register, it is important to specify the source of distress and the affected individuals for clarity. Alternative phrases like "create anxiety for" or "bring about suffering for" can be used depending on the specific nuance needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflict suffering on

Emphasizes the act of imposing pain or hardship, often suggesting a deliberate action.

bring sorrow to

Focuses on inducing sadness or grief.

generate anguish in

Highlights a profound sense of sorrow or torment.

induce misery in

Focuses on causing a state of unhappiness or wretchedness.

provoke upset in

Highlights the act of triggering emotional disturbance.

create unease among

Suggests a state of anxiety or discomfort.

foster anxiety among

Implies the nurturing or development of anxious feelings.

precipitate heartache for

Emphasizes the sudden creation of emotional pain or grief.

spark concern within

Highlights the generation of worry or apprehension.

stir up worry within

Implies the act of arousing or creating worry.

FAQs

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

Use "cause distress for" to describe situations or actions that lead to emotional pain or discomfort for someone. For example, "The policy change will "cause distress for" many families."

What are some alternatives to "cause distress for"?

You can use alternatives like "create anxiety for", "bring about suffering for", or "inflict suffering on" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "cause distress to" or "cause distress for"?

"Cause distress to" and ""cause distress for"" are both grammatically correct, but ""cause distress for"" emphasizes the beneficiaries or those affected by the distress. Using "to" is often more direct, while "for" can specify who the distress is directed towards.

What is the difference between "cause distress for" and "cause discomfort for"?

"Cause distress for" implies a deeper level of emotional or psychological pain, while "cause discomfort for" suggests a milder form of unease or inconvenience. The choice depends on the intensity of the negative emotion you want to convey.