how distressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how distressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong emotional reaction to something that is upsetting or troubling. Example: "When I heard the news about the accident, I couldn't help but think how distressing it was for the families involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

How distressing, then, that the mainstream has come to purloin them.

The Economist

How distressing to find this column's old friend Gordon Taylor the subject of insurrectionary behaviour in his stronghold.

The Guardian - Sport

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

The New York Times - Arts

I have fresh marks on my face to prove how distressing life is becoming with my twin sister.

The Guardian - Books

"However, neither I nor any of the member of staff who I have spoken to about the case would underestimate how distressing Autumn's death has been," they said.

The Guardian

Having spent several nights in hospital with my mum, because there was nowhere else to go, I know how distressing it was for her.

The Guardian - Opinion

Karl Köhler, chief executive of Tata Steel's European operations, said: "I realise how distressing this news will be for all those affected.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

In an email to Breeze, he said that he "appreciates how entirely distressing and frustrating this situation must be for yourself, and your parents".

The Guardian

Participants indicated on each occasion whether or not they had experienced a recent negative event, provided a brief description of this event, and indicated how emotionally distressing it was.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

When you take the jeans off, you will have a visual guideline for how much distressing you need to do in different areas.

WikiHow

Again and again, it's distressing how little we know about how Iraq looked before destruction became an everyday occurrence.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how distressing" to express strong empathy or concern, especially when acknowledging someone's difficult experience. For example, in customer service, acknowledge "how distressing" a technical issue is to a user.

Common error

While appropriate in formal or professional settings, overuse of "how distressing" in casual conversations can sound overly formal or insincere. Opt for simpler alternatives like "how upsetting" or "how awful" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how distressing" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a situation or event to emphasize its emotionally upsetting nature. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase expresses a strong emotional reaction. Examples show its use in various contexts to convey empathy or concern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

28%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how distressing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that expresses empathy and concern regarding emotionally upsetting situations. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and appropriateness. While suitable for professional and neutral contexts, it's important to consider using simpler alternatives in informal settings. Key takeaways include its function in conveying empathy, its presence in news, academic, and scientific sources, and its slightly formal register compared to alternatives like "how upsetting" or "how awful".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how upsetting

Expresses a similar level of emotional disturbance but might be perceived as slightly less intense.

how troubling

Suggests a concern or worry caused by something, sharing a similar negative connotation.

how disheartening

Focuses on the loss of morale or hope caused by the situation, indicating a decline in spirits.

how regrettable

Emphasizes the feeling of sorrow or disappointment about something that has happened or been done.

how unfortunate

Highlights the bad luck or unfavorable circumstances surrounding an event.

how grievous

Indicates a deep sorrow or suffering, suggesting a more severe emotional impact.

how painful

Directly addresses the emotional suffering caused by a situation, focusing on the hurt.

how agonizing

Highlights the extreme mental or physical suffering caused by the situation, emphasizing intensity.

how excruciating

Expresses intense suffering, both mentally and physically, similar to 'agonizing' but even more severe.

how calamitous

Indicates that the situation is disastrous or catastrophic, causing widespread damage and distress.

FAQs

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

Use "how distressing" to express your empathy or concern about a situation. For example, "I can't imagine "how distressing" it must be to lose your job".

What can I say instead of "how distressing"?

You can use alternatives like "how upsetting", "how troubling", or "how disheartening" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "how distressing it is"?

Yes, the phrase "how distressing it is" is grammatically correct. It is a common way to express the level of distress caused by a particular situation.

What is the difference between "how distressing" and "how stressful"?

"How distressing" typically refers to emotional or mental suffering caused by a situation. "How stressful" refers to the amount of pressure or tension experienced. While related, "distressing" implies a deeper emotional impact.