get distressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get distressing" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a sense of becoming distressed, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "As the news unfolded, it began to get distressing for everyone involved."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Only the two internalizing scales were used, assessing generalized anxiety disorder (seven items; e.g., "Has difficulty controlling worries") and social phobia/obsessive compulsive disorder (three items; e.g., "Cannot get distressing thoughts out of his/her mind, for example, worries about germs or doing things perfectly").

Ear and Hearing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It can get very distressing," says a senior researcher, Dr Roland Schaette.

Independent

'There's a level of pain all the time, of course,' she said, 'and sometimes it can get very distressing, but I see it as part of my life.

The Guardian

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Vice

WASHINGTON — On a snowy Thursday shortly before her weekly meeting with President Obama last month, Hillary Rodham Clinton got a distressing phone call: her husband, Bill Clinton, was in a hospital with chest pains and needed an urgent heart procedure.

The New York Times

On his first day on the job, he got the distressing news that Krzyzewski was being wooed by the Los Angeles Lakers of the N.B.A., who were said to be offering $40 million.

The New York Times - Sports

"Some will get out and have heartwarming success stories, others will have distressing failures.

Los Angeles Times

They also, like most serious runners, get hurt with distressing frequency, often missing practice due to aching muscles or over-stressed bones.

The New York Times

The odors from scented candles gets onto the birds' feathers, which they can find distressing.

WikiHow

These videos make distressing viewing.

The Guardian

"He's got a somewhat distressing way of showing how much he cares," said Michael J. Horvitz, the museum's chairman, who is also a trustee at Case Western.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "get distressing" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically correct alternatives such as "become distressing" or "grow distressing".

Common error

While "get" is commonly used to indicate a change of state, pairing it with certain adjectives like "distressing" can sound awkward. Consider using more precise verbs to describe the change, such as "become" or "turn".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get distressing" functions as a verb phrase attempting to describe a process or change toward a state of distress. However, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, it's not considered standard English, making it less effective in formal communication.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "get distressing" is a non-standard expression that attempts to convey the idea of something becoming distressing. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrasing is not grammatically correct in standard written English. While it might be understood in informal contexts, it's best to opt for more accepted alternatives such as "become distressing", "turn distressing", or "grow distressing", especially in formal or professional settings. These alternatives offer clarity and are less likely to be perceived as awkward or incorrect. Remember to consider your audience and the context when choosing the most appropriate way to express this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become distressing

Uses a more standard verb 'become' to convey the process of something turning distressing.

turn distressing

Replaces 'get' with 'turn', offering a similar meaning but with slightly different nuance.

grow distressing

Emphasizes a gradual increase in the level of distress, rather than an immediate state.

become troubled

Substitutes 'distressing' with 'troubled', focusing on a state of worry or unease.

turn alarming

Replaces 'distressing' with 'alarming', indicating a sense of heightened concern or danger.

become worrisome

Uses 'worrisome' instead of 'distressing', highlighting a sense of anxiety or concern.

get upsetting

Substitutes 'distressing' with 'upsetting', focusing on the emotional impact of the situation.

turn stressful

Replaces 'distressing' with 'stressful', emphasizing the pressure and strain caused by the situation.

become a source of distress

Expands the phrase to explicitly state that something becomes a cause of distress.

start to distress

Uses 'start to distress' to indicate the beginning of a distressing feeling or situation.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "get distressing"?

You can use alternatives like "become distressing", "turn distressing", or "grow distressing" depending on the context.

Is "get distressing" grammatically correct?

The phrase "get distressing" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use "become distressing" or a similar alternative.

How can I use "become distressing" in a sentence?

You can use "become distressing" to describe a situation or feeling that is increasingly causing distress. For example, "As the news unfolded, the situation started to become distressing for everyone involved".

What's the difference between "get distressing" and "become distressing"?

While both phrases aim to describe a change in state towards distress, "become distressing" is the more grammatically accepted and widely used option. "Get distressing" is considered awkward and less formal.