distressing to hear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distressing to hear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that something is upsetting or troubling to learn or listen to. Example: "The news of the accident was truly distressing to hear, and it left us all in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It was a lot more distressing to hear the same misreading of the election from John Boehner, the Speaker of the House.

The New York Times

So it was especially distressing to hear Mr. Bush's barely veiled attack against Senator Barack Obama in front of Israel's Parliament.

The New York Times

It was distressing to hear the suggestion by Bishop Wilton Gregory, the prelate charged with directing the inquiry, that the "terrible history" is just that -- history.

The New York Times

"In one particular meeting I held with a group of heads, it was distressing to hear how isolated and vulnerable many of them said they felt".

The Guardian

During the economic downturn, it has been extremely distressing to hear my profession being vilified when, as the column said, it offers so much to the American economy.

The New York Times

So it was distressing to hear that the Justice Department plans to appeal a federal court order that the military immediately stop enforcing the law that is used to drum out gay service members once their sexual orientation becomes known.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

What is particularly distressing is to hear this recitation in the context of a historic opportunity lost -- the recent dissipation of enormous budgetary surpluses, compounded by the largest deficit in our history.

The New York Times

Still, how distressing it is to hear music conceived as the purest distillation of individuality rendered so anonymously.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was very distressing to see Jerry fall apart.

The New Yorker

"It's pretty distressing to see," Dr. Gulland said.

The New York Times - Science

It was a very, very distressing scene to watch, and to hear as well..

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distressing to hear" to express a sense of unease, sorrow, or worry upon receiving information. Ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the distress is auditory, i.e., something that was heard.

Common error

Avoid using "distressing to hear" when the source of distress is not auditory. If the distress is caused by something seen or experienced, use "distressing to see" or "distressing to witness" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distressing to hear" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied subject. It expresses a subjective emotional reaction to auditory information. Ludwig AI validates that this expression is proper and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distressing to hear" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey emotional distress in response to auditory information. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and relevance. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to communicate feelings of unease, worry, or sorrow. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the source of distress is indeed auditory, differentiating it from similar expressions like "distressing to see". Alternatives such as "upsetting to hear" or "troubling to hear" can be employed to nuanced emotional responses. As such, "distressing to hear" stands as a valuable tool in effectively communicating emotional reactions to heard information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upsetting to hear

Replaces "distressing" with "upsetting", maintaining the same core meaning of causing emotional discomfort.

troubling to hear

Substitutes "distressing" with "troubling", emphasizing the worrisome aspect of the information received.

concerning to hear

Replaces "distressing" with "concerning", highlighting the worry or unease caused by the information.

saddening to hear

Changes "distressing" to "saddening", focusing on the sorrowful aspect of the information.

disheartening to hear

Replaces "distressing" with "disheartening", emphasizing the loss of hope or enthusiasm.

painful to hear

Substitutes "distressing" with "painful", highlighting the emotional hurt caused by the information.

unsettling to hear

Changes "distressing" to "unsettling", focusing on the disturbance or unease caused by the information.

alarming to hear

Replaces "distressing" with "alarming", emphasizing the sense of danger or urgency.

grievous to hear

Substitutes "distressing" with "grievous", indicating a more profound and severe sense of sorrow or suffering.

mortifying to hear

Changes "distressing" to "mortifying", focusing on the shame or embarrassment caused by the information.

FAQs

How can I use "distressing to hear" in a sentence?

You can use "distressing to hear" to express that something you've learned or listened to is upsetting or troubling. For example: "It was "distressing to hear" about the accident".

What can I say instead of "distressing to hear"?

You can use alternatives like "upsetting to hear", "troubling to hear", or "concerning to hear" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "distressing to hear" or "distressing to listen to"?

"Distressing to hear" is more concise and commonly used. "Distressing to listen to" is also grammatically correct, but it can sometimes sound slightly redundant since "hear" already implies listening.

Is "distressing to hear" the same as "distressing to read"?

No, "distressing to hear" refers specifically to information received aurally, while "distressing to read" refers to information received visually through reading. They describe different modes of information intake.