it distressed me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it distressed me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing feelings of sadness, anxiety, or discomfort caused by a particular situation or event. Example: "Hearing about the tragedy in the news really distressed me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It distressed me, though.

The New York Times - Books

A writer's fan base, unlike that of a rock star, is post-adolescent, and relatively tolerant of time's scars; it distressed me to read of some teenager who, subjected to the Rolling Stones' halftime entertainment at a recent Super Bowl, wondered why that skinny old man (Mick Jagger) kept taking his shirt off and jumping around.

The New Yorker

Back then, only a few years after graduating from college, this sort of work amused me more than it distressed me.

HuffPost

It wasn't that the sums involved were large - $5 here, $10 there - but it distressed me to think I couldn't break even.

The New York Times

It was more like, 'This is my job, guess I better get on with it.' And it distressed me enormously, because I knew better".

The Guardian

Whereas here there was this man who did not care about me at all, as if he were animated by some much grander sense of privilege than I had ever known, and it distressed me very much.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It really distressed me that I would come home from school at 3pm and then have to sit down and study for another hour.

The Guardian

But it wasn't just that inconsistency which distressed me: it was the feeling that Edward was on the verge of extreme dudgeon before I could press the matter one inch further.

The Guardian

It was the void that distressed me, that I was fleeing.

The New Yorker

Their intimacy distressed me.

Huffington Post

It distressed the whole family and got everyone running about searching and shrieking, but it was the dog's reaction that stopped me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "it distressed me" to express a personal feeling of unease, anxiety, or sadness caused by something. Ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the distress for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "it distressed me" for minor inconveniences. The word "distressed" implies a significant level of emotional upset; using it inappropriately can sound melodramatic or insincere. Consider using "it bothered me" or "it inconvenienced me" for less serious situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it distressed me" functions as a declarative statement expressing a personal feeling of being emotionally bothered or upset by a specific event or situation. Ludwig shows examples where the phrase conveys reactions ranging from mild unease to significant emotional distress.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it distressed me" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express personal feelings of sadness, anxiety, or unease. According to Ludwig, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a slightly formal register. While not overly common, using "it distressed me" effectively communicates a significant level of emotional discomfort. Alternatives such as "it troubled me" or "it upset me" can be used depending on the specific emotional nuance you want to convey. Remember to use this phrase when you need to express personal feelings of disturbance, sadness or worries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it upset me

Indicates a stronger emotional reaction than "bothered", suggesting sadness or disappointment.

it saddened me

Directly expresses the feeling of sadness experienced.

it troubled me

Replaces "distressed" with a milder synonym, suggesting a lesser degree of emotional upset.

it disturbed me

Indicates that something disrupted your peace of mind or emotional state.

it worried me

Focuses on the anxiety or concern caused by the situation.

it concerned me

A more formal alternative to "worried", suitable for professional or academic contexts.

it bothered me

A more common and less formal way to express that something caused you concern or annoyance.

it disheartened me

Highlights the feeling of lost hope or enthusiasm as a result of the situation.

it pained me

Implies a sharp emotional discomfort, like a physical pain.

it grieved me

Suggests a deep sorrow or regret caused by the situation.

FAQs

What does "it distressed me" mean?

The phrase "it distressed me" expresses a feeling of being upset, anxious, or saddened by something. It indicates that something caused you emotional discomfort or worry.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it distressed me"?

Use "it distressed me" when you want to convey that something caused you a significant amount of emotional discomfort. It's suitable for situations that provoke sadness, worry, or unease.

What are some alternatives to "it distressed me"?

Alternatives include "it troubled me", "it upset me", "it bothered me", or "it worried me". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it distressed me" a formal or informal expression?

"It distressed me" is relatively neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards the formal side compared to phrases like "it bothered me".