it is very upsetting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is very upsetting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong feelings of distress or disappointment about a situation or event. Example: "When I heard the news about the accident, it is very upsetting to think about the families affected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Personal Experiences

Reactions to Events

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

If it is very upsetting to you when you see your child upset or anxious, try to calm yourself down, and trust that they will be okay.

Huffington Post

He added: "It is very upsetting.

Independent

It is very upsetting to see it written out.

The New Yorker

"It is very upsetting that some athletes don't believe that.

The Guardian - Sport

They have been badly let down and it is very upsetting.

The Guardian

"I really don't want to be interviewed because it is very upsetting," said Louise Knapp, the widow of Mr. Knapp.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"It's very upsetting, and the people are very upset.

BBC

After being played the Prime Minister's comments, Mrs Duffy, looking surprised and upset, said she was "very disappointed", adding it was "very upsetting".

Independent

"It was very upsetting".

The New York Times

Yeah, it's very upsetting.

The Guardian

It's very upsetting and disappointing".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the intensity of your language accordingly. In formal settings, you might opt for a more restrained expression like "it is quite concerning" instead of "it is very upsetting".

Common error

Avoid simply stating "it is very upsetting" without explaining why. This can sound vague and insincere. Instead, specify the source of the distress to make your communication more effective. For example, instead of saying "It is very upsetting", say "It is very upsetting to see the impact of the budget cuts on local schools".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is very upsetting" primarily functions as a subjective expression of emotion. It communicates the speaker's negative feelings regarding a specific situation. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in expressing distress, disappointment, and concern across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is very upsetting" is a versatile expression used to convey feelings of distress, disappointment, or concern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While usable in both formal and informal situations, it's important to provide context to explain the source of the distress and to consider the audience when choosing alternative expressions. Avoiding overuse of "very" and providing specific details can enhance the impact of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's incredibly distressing

Replaces 'upsetting' with 'distressing' to highlight the emotional pain caused.

it's extremely troubling

Emphasizes the worrying or concerning aspect of the situation.

it's deeply disheartening

Uses 'disheartening' to emphasize the discouraging nature of the situation.

it's particularly grievous

Indicates that the situation is severe and causes great sorrow.

it's profoundly disturbing

Highlights the unsettling and unsettling nature of the situation.

it's remarkably regrettable

Highlights that the situation is something to be sorry about.

it's terribly disappointing

Highlights the feeling of unmet expectations and letdown.

it's extraordinarily unfortunate

Emphasizes the bad luck or unfavorable nature of the situation.

it's immensely frustrating

Focuses on the feeling of being thwarted or annoyed by the situation.

it's exceptionally irritating

Focuses on the annoyance caused by the situation.

FAQs

What does "it is very upsetting" mean?

The phrase "it is very upsetting" expresses a strong feeling of distress, disappointment, or unhappiness about something. It indicates that a particular situation or event is causing significant emotional discomfort.

Are there less intense ways to say "it is very upsetting"?

Yes, you can use milder alternatives such as "it is somewhat disappointing", "it is a little concerning", or "it is slightly unsettling" to express a similar sentiment with less intensity.

What are some more formal synonyms for "it is very upsetting"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it is deeply regrettable", "it is highly distressing", or "it is exceedingly unfortunate" to maintain a professional tone.

How can I make the phrase "it is very upsetting" more impactful?

To increase the impact, follow up with specific details about the cause of your distress. For example, "It is very upsetting to witness the ongoing environmental destruction in the Amazon rainforest."