have distressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have distressed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has caused distress or emotional pain to someone in the past and may still be relevant in the present. Example: "The news of the accident has distressed many in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"It would have distressed both of them.

The Guardian

"I've seen things that have distressed me in the past year.

The Guardian

These results have distressed Miss Manners and other defenders of civilization against the barbarism of the gift registry.

The New York Times - Science

Similar pictures of the damage this country did to the innocent of Berlin would have distressed and angered us no less.

Independent

Monarchy's very few upsets over the past two centuries may have distressed the public and, as such, caused a flutter in Republican dovecotes.

The Guardian - Opinion

By its own admission, Miss Suu Kyi drew huge crowds in her visits to over 100 districts in 12 of Myanmar's 14 provinces a show of support that must have distressed the top brass.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The shooting has distressed the Chinese.

The New York Times

The decline in state funding to prevent smoking has distressed advocates.

The New York Times

They say -- and this has distressed many of them mightily -- that the black tie requirement could be dropped.

The New York Times - Arts

It had distressed him to learn that Gail Katz-Bierenbaum's parents had both died in the intervening years, while Bierenbaum had settled in North Dakota, remarried, and fathered a daughter.

The New Yorker

We had two AOL-ers that had distressed babies that were born that we paid a million dollars each to make sure those babies were OK in general.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have distressed", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what has caused the distress and the object indicates who has experienced the distress. Clarity enhances the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "have distressed" for minor inconveniences. This phrase implies a significant level of emotional upset, so choose a milder verb like "have bothered" or "have inconvenienced" for less serious situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have distressed" functions as a perfect tense verb phrase, indicating that an action of causing emotional upset or suffering has been completed at some point in the past and has relevance to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have distressed" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, though somewhat uncommon, indicating that something has caused someone emotional pain or distress. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across different contexts. It typically appears in news and media, with some occurrences in scientific and formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure the level of emotional impact aligns with the situation, opting for milder alternatives like "have troubled" or "have upset" for less severe scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have troubled

Replaces "distressed" with a more general term for causing worry or concern.

have upset

Suggests a more immediate and possibly less severe emotional impact than "distressed".

have worried

Focuses on the aspect of causing anxiety or concern.

have grieved

Indicates a deeper sense of sorrow or mourning caused by something.

have pained

Implies a sharp emotional or mental suffering.

have burdened

Suggests causing someone to carry a heavy emotional load.

have tormented

Implies a prolonged and severe form of mental suffering.

have disturbed

Focuses on disrupting someone's peace of mind.

have afflicted

Indicates the cause of persistent suffering or problems.

have disquieted

Suggests a subtle but noticeable disturbance of inner peace.

FAQs

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

The phrase "have distressed" is used to describe something that has caused someone significant emotional pain or sorrow. For example, "The news of the layoffs "has distressed" many employees".

What are some alternatives to saying "have distressed"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "have troubled", "have upset", or "have worried" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it more appropriate to say "has distressed" or "have distressed"?

"Has distressed" is used with singular subjects (e.g., 'The event has distressed her'), while "have distressed" is used with plural subjects (e.g., 'The events "have distressed" them').

What's the difference between "have distressed" and "have saddened"?

"Have distressed" implies a more active and possibly disruptive form of emotional pain, while "have saddened" suggests a gentler, more passive experience of sorrow. The choice depends on the intensity of the emotion you want to convey.