clearly distressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearly distressed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is visibly upset or troubled, often in emotional or psychological contexts. Example: "After hearing the news, she appeared clearly distressed, struggling to hold back her tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Clearly distressed after being told the news, Jo hung up the phone.

Independent

A clearly distressed Navajo caller talked about forced marches that her people endured.

The New York Times - Arts

Ama was in tears most of the time, occasionally incoherent, and clearly distressed.

The Guardian - Sport

In the back, a pregnant woman we know as Adele lies bleeding and clearly distressed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Since the couple's first study came out in 1988, two trends have clearly distressed them.

The New York Times

She said of her husband, "While he was clearly distressed, he was not intentionally violent toward anyone".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Christine is understandably distressed.

Vice

A strong curvilinear effect was found for maternal age, in which teenage mothers were clearly more distressed, and a group from 20 to 24 years somewhat more distressed, than older mothers.

BMC Public Health

Contostavlos was clearly still distressed about the tape on the same Alan Carr show the week before.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Peter went 'it's not fucking okay; it's not alright' and was clearly very distressed.

The Guardian

But he is clearly less distressed by the failings of his industry than his critics had hoped.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "clearly distressed", ensure the context provides sufficient evidence to support the observation. Avoid using it based on assumptions or limited information.

Common error

Avoid using "clearly distressed" to describe minor inconveniences or temporary discomfort. The phrase implies a significant level of emotional or psychological suffering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly distressed" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of visible emotional or mental suffering. It is frequently used to provide descriptive detail about a subject's condition, enhancing understanding and empathy, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clearly distressed" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe someone exhibiting visible signs of emotional or psychological suffering. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, but predominantly appears in news and media. Usage guidelines advise ensuring the context supports the observation and avoiding its use for minor discomforts. Alternatives include "visibly upset" or "obviously troubled", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

visibly upset

Focuses on the outward signs of distress being easily noticeable.

obviously troubled

Highlights that the person is burdened by problems or difficulties.

plainly agitated

Emphasizes a state of restlessness and unease.

noticeably disturbed

Suggests a disruption of the person's normal state of mind.

evidently distraught

Implies a higher degree of emotional upset and mental turmoil.

conspicuously anxious

Draws attention to the person's heightened state of worry and nervousness.

markedly perturbed

Indicates a clear departure from the person's usual composure.

palpably stressed

Suggests that the stress is so intense it can be felt by others.

ostensibly suffering

Implies the suffering is apparent but might not be fully understood.

patently uneasy

Highlights the person's lack of comfort and sense of apprehension.

FAQs

How can I use "clearly distressed" in a sentence?

You can use "clearly distressed" to describe someone who is visibly upset or troubled. For example, "The witness was "clearly distressed" while recounting the events of that night."

What are some alternatives to "clearly distressed"?

Alternatives include "visibly upset", "obviously troubled", or "plainly agitated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "clearly distressed" in formal writing?

Yes, "clearly distressed" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a neutral and objective way to describe someone's emotional state, as long as the observation is supported by evidence.

What level of emotional upset does "clearly distressed" imply?

The phrase "clearly distressed" implies a significant level of emotional or psychological suffering, more than just simple unhappiness or inconvenience. It suggests the person is experiencing considerable anguish.