express distress

USAGE SUMMARY

"express distress" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone is feeling strong emotions of sadness, fear, anxiety, or depression, and is communicating those feelings to others. Example: The emailer expressed distress at the news of their downsizing.

✓ Grammatically correct

Social Science & Medicine

BMC Geriatrics

The New York Times - Health

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

As a result soldiers often lack a language with which to express distress (in a context in which they may witness extremely distressing events), which may result in delays in recognising and treating mental health problems.

Social Science & Medicine

On the positive side of the equation, clients at Canadian sites in our sample as compared to European and American sites in our sample are less likely to be alone and distressed (3% vs. 7%and7%7%, respectively), fewer of the caregivers express distress (14% vs. 30% and 24%), and fewer clients do not receive a flu vaccine (24% vs. 40% vs. 51%).

BMC Geriatrics

But there may be no one else with whom the patient feels safe to express distress.

The New York Times - Health

A9 Voters Speak Out in California Californian voters express distress at what is taking place on Wall Street, but feel it makes no difference which political party is in power.

The New York Times

Photograph: Penny Bradfield for the Guardian Updated at 11.24pm AEST Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.12pm AEST14 12 Labor supporters express distress, confusion and, um, happiness at an election function in Brisbane.

The Guardian

The switch from bliss in the sketch to a wan smile intended to express distress in the painting reduces the masterful draftsman's portrait to a conventional sweetie pie face in the altarpiece that stands in the chapel of Eleonora di Toledo in the Palazzo Vecchio.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"She has expressed distress at watching the scenes from New Orleans, just as probably every American has.

The New York Times

But both Democrats and Republicans expressed distress about the U.S. program.

The New Yorker

The victim's mother, Carolyn Bunch, expressed distress at the court's decision.

The New York Times

A co-founder and former president of the American Muslim Alliance, Farooq Ansari, expressed distress last night over the telephone campaign.

The New York Times

She expressed distress that the bishops of her church continually seemed to advocate policies different from that of her party.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "express distress", consider the context and choose synonyms to reflect the specific emotion you intend to convey, such as anxiety, grief, or concern.

Common error

Avoid using "express distress" repeatedly in formal writing. Vary your vocabulary with alternatives like "convey anguish" or "voice concern" to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express distress" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It typically serves as the predicate of a sentence, describing an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

46%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "express distress" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of showing or communicating feelings of discomfort, suffering, or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is accurate. While understandable in most settings, it's most commonly found in news and scientific contexts. Consider using synonyms like "convey anguish" or "voice concern" for greater precision. Remember to choose alternatives based on the specific emotion you want to convey for enhanced clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reveal suffering

Highlights the manifestation of suffering, whether through words or actions.

convey anguish

Replaces "distress" with a stronger term, "anguish", suggesting a more profound level of suffering.

articulate discomfort

Emphasizes the clear and coherent expression of physical or emotional discomfort.

manifest grief

Focuses specifically on the outward display of sorrow and mourning.

show unease

Substitutes "distress" with "unease", indicating a milder form of discomfort or anxiety.

communicate anxiety

Specifically refers to the expression of anxiety, a component of distress.

voice concern

Focuses on the verbal expression of worry or apprehension, rather than the broader sense of distress.

exhibit worry

Suggests an outward demonstration of anxious thoughts or fears.

signal pain

Implies a non-verbal indication of pain, whether physical or emotional.

register dissatisfaction

Indicates a formal or official expression of discontent.

FAQs

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

You can use "express distress" to describe someone showing or communicating their feelings of sadness, anxiety, or suffering. For example, "The victim's mother, Carolyn Bunch, "expressed distress" at the court's decision."

What are some alternatives to "express distress"?

Some alternatives to "express distress" include "convey anguish", "show unease", and "voice concern". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to communicate.

Is it always appropriate to use "express distress" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "express distress" may sometimes sound generic. Consider using more specific synonyms like "manifest grief" or "articulate discomfort" in formal contexts to convey precise emotions.

What's the difference between "express distress" and "expressed distress"?

"Express distress" is the infinitive form, while "expressed distress" is the past tense. Use "express distress" when talking about the act of showing distress in general, and "expressed distress" when describing a specific instance in the past.