found it upsetting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found it upsetting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a personal reaction to something that caused distress or discomfort. Example: "After reading the article, I found it upsetting to learn about the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But in an interview a week later, Mark Hull, a senior producer for Yahoo communications services, said that he also wanted to be careful not to delete information simply because some vocal organizations found it upsetting.

The New York Times - Tech

Further we expected deterioration in psychosocial functioning among students who initially enjoyed the questionnaire but later found it upsetting, and improvement in psychosocial functioning over time for those who were initially upset but later enjoyed participation.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

To do this we examined changes in the psychosocial variables over time and how these differed for students who enjoyed participation at both time points, those who were worried or upset at both time points, and those who changed their responses over time (e.g. enjoyed the study initially but found it upsetting at time 2).

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

I found it upsetting".

The New York Times - Food

Has he found it upsetting?

The Guardian

I found it upsetting and, on some very basic level, gross.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

He finds it upsetting.

The New York Times - Books

Many Dresdeners who have seen the project find it upsetting.

The New Yorker

I still find it upsetting.

Huffington Post

I don't have much time for people who find it upsetting.

Vice

I cried as I stomped all over the house trying to find it, upsetting the entire household and disrupting breakfast.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "found it upsetting" to express a personal negative reaction to something, ensuring the context clearly indicates what caused the feeling. For example: "After reading the report, I "found it upsetting" to learn about the environmental damage."

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, "found it upsetting" might sound too informal or emotional in highly professional or academic writing. Consider using more neutral or objective alternatives like "considered it problematic" or "identified it as a concern".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found it upsetting" functions as a verb phrase expressing a subjective emotional reaction. It typically follows a subject (pronoun or noun) and indicates that the subject experienced a feeling of distress or displeasure as a result of something. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "found it upsetting" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express a personal feeling of distress or discomfort. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and appropriate for use in written English. While it's suitable for various contexts, including news and media, being mindful of the register is important for formal or academic writing, where more neutral alternatives might be preferred. Remember to use it to convey a clear understanding of what prompted the feeling, and explore alternatives like "considered it disturbing" or "thought it troubling" to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considered it disturbing

Emphasizes the unsettling nature of the subject, implying a deeper level of emotional impact.

thought it troubling

Highlights the worrisome aspect of the subject, suggesting concern or unease.

felt it was distressing

Focuses on the emotional experience of distress caused by the subject.

regarded it as bothersome

Indicates a feeling of annoyance or irritation caused by the subject.

was dismayed by it

Expresses disappointment and discouragement due to the subject.

was disturbed by it

Suggests a disruption of peace of mind and emotional equilibrium.

was taken aback by it

Implies a feeling of surprise combined with unpleasantness.

was offended by it

Indicates a feeling of being insulted or disrespected by the subject.

was displeased by it

Shows dissatisfaction or disapproval towards the subject.

took exception to it

Indicates a strong disagreement or objection to the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "found it upsetting" in a sentence?

Use "found it upsetting" to express your negative emotional reaction to something. For example, "I "found it upsetting" to see the level of poverty in the city."

What can I say instead of "found it upsetting"?

You can use alternatives like "considered it disturbing", "thought it troubling", or "felt it was distressing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "found it upsetting" or "I was upset by it"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Found it upsetting" is a more direct statement of your reaction, while "I was upset by it" focuses more on the state of being upset.

What's the difference between "found it upsetting" and "found it disappointing"?

"Found it upsetting" suggests a stronger negative emotional reaction, often involving distress or discomfort. "Found it disappointing" indicates a feeling of dissatisfaction because something didn't meet expectations.