is very distressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very distressing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, event, or feeling that causes significant emotional pain or discomfort. Example: "The news of the natural disaster is very distressing for the families affected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

This loss is very distressing.

The Guardian

"It is very distressing for my granddaughter and my daughter.

Independent

The animals demand handouts which is very distressing.

The New Yorker

"The fact that he's not able to conduct that, I know is very distressing".

The New York Times - Arts

Hearing voices is an experience that is very distressing for many people.

The Guardian

Shivering is very distressing for the patient therefore, control of postspinal shivering is essential for proper perioperative care.

Egyptian Journal of Anaesthesia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

That's very distressing.

Independent

It's very distressing sometimes.

The Guardian

"It's very distressing for my partner.

Independent

'It's very distressing,' he said.

The Guardian - Business

"All these are very distressing affairs.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive topics, use "is very distressing" to accurately convey the emotional impact without exaggerating or sensationalizing the situation. This helps maintain a professional and empathetic tone.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "is very distressing" as it can dilute its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "is deeply upsetting" or "is extremely troubling" to keep your writing engaging and nuanced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very distressing" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing a significant level of emotional discomfort or pain caused by a particular situation, event, or piece of information. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used to convey the speaker's or writer's perception of something causing distress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is very distressing" is a common and grammatically sound way to express significant emotional discomfort or pain. According to Ludwig, it is versatile enough for various contexts, from formal news reports to personal conversations. While it's important to use the phrase to accurately convey emotional impact, remember that overuse can diminish its effect. Thus, diversify your language by using synonyms like "is deeply upsetting", "is extremely troubling", or "is highly concerning" to add nuance and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is deeply upsetting

Changes "distressing" to "upsetting" to soften the tone while keeping a sense of concern.

is remarkably upsetting

Similar to "is deeply upsetting" but focuses on the emotional disturbance.

is extremely troubling

Replaces "distressing" with "troubling" to highlight the problematic nature of the situation.

is highly concerning

Uses "concerning" instead of "distressing" to focus on the worry and potential risks involved.

is acutely disturbing

Substitutes "distressing" with "disturbing" to emphasize the unsettling and disruptive nature.

is especially painful

Focuses on the emotional pain and suffering caused by the situation.

is severely disheartening

Changes "distressing" to "disheartening" to highlight the loss of morale or hope.

is profoundly alarming

Replaces "distressing" with "alarming" to underscore the sense of danger and urgency.

is notably perturbing

Uses "perturbing" instead of "distressing" to convey a sense of mild anxiety or unease.

is exceptionally grievous

Emphasizes the severity of the distress by using "grievous", highlighting the pain and sorrow.

FAQs

What does "is very distressing" mean?

The phrase "is very distressing" means that something is causing significant emotional pain, anxiety, or discomfort. It indicates that the situation or event is deeply upsetting and troubling.

How can I use "is very distressing" in a sentence?

You can use "is very distressing" to describe situations, events, or information that causes emotional distress. For example, "The news of the accident "is very distressing" for the families involved."

What are some alternatives to "is very distressing"?

Alternatives to "is very distressing" include "is deeply upsetting", "is extremely troubling", and "is highly concerning". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is very distressing" or "is distressing"?

Both "is very distressing" and "is distressing" are correct, but "is very distressing" emphasizes the intensity of the distress. "Is distressing" is a milder way to express that something is upsetting or troubling.