is stressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is stressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is causing stress or emphasizing a point in a discussion. Example: "The current economic situation is stressing the importance of financial planning for families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"When Mark is stressing you know it's stressful.

BBC

Everyone is stressing out.

The New Yorker

Already, Burnett is stressing out Yankee fans.

The New York Times

"This is stressing me out," she said.

The New York Times

So far he is stressing continuity.

The Economist

The Obama administration is stressing another argument: self-interest.

The New York Times

But even when Mr. May is stressing, his music isn't.

The New York Times - Arts

But none of the Republicans is stressing health to the same extent as the Democrats are.

The Economist

At the same time, HEC is stressing that the programme will remain academically rigorous.

The Economist

Mr Friedman is stressing a difference between his political beliefs and his firm.

The Economist

This week, the anti-gay marriage side is stressing a different mechanism of harm.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is stressing" to describe causing stress to someone, consider the emotional impact of your words. Choose more empathetic language if the situation requires it.

Common error

While "is stressing" is acceptable, overuse in formal or academic writing can make your text sound less professional. Vary your language by using alternatives like "is emphasizing", "is highlighting" or even descriptive phrases such as "drawing attention to" or "underscoring the importance of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is stressing" functions primarily as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it correctly indicates an action in progress, either causing stress or emphasizing something. As shown in the examples, it commonly appears in contexts where a subject is actively causing emotional pressure or drawing attention to a particular point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is stressing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase with dual meanings: causing stress and emphasizing. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in news and media contexts, with a more neutral register. While perfectly acceptable, varying your vocabulary in formal writing can enhance the sophistication of your prose. Consider alternatives like "is emphasizing" or "is highlighting" for greater precision. Be mindful of the context and intended emotional impact when choosing between describing a situation as 'stressing' someone or simply 'emphasizing' a point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is emphasizing

Focuses more on highlighting or giving importance to something.

is highlighting

Similar to emphasizing, but often used to draw attention to a specific detail.

is underlining

Implies making something very clear or obvious.

is focusing on

Indicates a concentration of attention or effort.

is giving prominence to

Suggests elevating the importance or visibility of something.

is placing emphasis on

A more formal way of saying "is emphasizing".

is agonizing over

Highlights the mental distress or worry associated with a problem.

is feeling anxious about

Emphasizes the emotional experience of stress or worry.

is concerned about

Expresses worry or unease about a particular issue.

is worried about

Similar to "is concerned about", but may imply a slightly higher level of anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "is stressing" in a sentence?

You can use "is stressing" to indicate that something is causing stress, as in, "The deadline "is stressing me out"". Alternatively, it can mean emphasizing something, such as, "The speaker "is stressing the importance of education"".

What are some alternatives to "is stressing" when emphasizing a point?

When you want to emphasize something, you can use alternatives like "is emphasizing", "is highlighting", or "is underlining" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "is stressing" to describe someone's emotional state?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. You can say "The situation "is stressing her out"" to indicate that the situation is causing her emotional pressure. However, be mindful of the context and consider using more empathetic language if needed.

What is the difference between "is stressing" and "is emphasizing"?

While both phrases can be used to indicate importance, "is stressing" often carries a sense of urgency or pressure, whereas "is emphasizing" is generally a more neutral way to highlight something. For example, "The report "is stressing the need for immediate action"" implies a sense of urgency, while "The report "is emphasizing the key findings"" simply highlights their importance.