it really distressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it really distressing" is not correct as it is missing a verb.
It should be "it is really distressing" or "it's really distressing." You can use it when expressing strong feelings of concern or sadness about a situation. Example: "After hearing the news, I found it really distressing to think about the impact on the community."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I find it really distressing," he says.

The Guardian - Film

I found it really distressing to listen to the radio report about the teacher who sexually abused children in his primary school class.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It was really distressing to me," said Peter Galvin, a founder of the Center for Biological Diversity, based in Tucson.

The New York Times - Science

It's really distressing then, to not be able to choose.

The Guardian - Music

On April 3 2013, she emailed about the retrial: It was really distressing and incomprehensible news, but I've lurched myself over the emotional hump and now I'm just trying to think of what's the best, most intelligent way to move forward and confront this.

The Guardian

"The whole family will need counselling and it's really distressing.

Vice

"It's really distressing to me and disappointing to me because I enjoy defending students," Lukianoff said.

Huffington Post

"The State Department has been rife with collusion with the Canadian pipeline builders, and it's really distressing to have any sense that that might continue to go on".

Huffington Post

"It was really sad – when you see a peer of yours, who you have loved since you were 14, 15… To see her widowed, dressed in black, burying her husband with three little children round her legs – it's really, really distressing.

The Guardian - Music

We had nothing to do with it, but that sense of anarchism was really distressing, and we realised we couldn't keep going like that".

Vice

These economies account for over half of world output (for the moment, at least).The really distressing thing is to try and project these lines forward a bit.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure your sentences are grammatically correct by including the necessary verb. In this case, use "it is really distressing" or the contraction "it's really distressing."

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the verb "is" in the phrase. While colloquial speech might sometimes skip it, formal writing requires the full phrase "it is really distressing" or the contraction "it's really distressing" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it really distressing" functions as an incomplete clause expressing a subjective reaction of unease or concern. Grammatically, it's flawed, as noted by Ludwig AI, needing a verb to be complete and correct. The corrected form functions as a subjective commentary.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it really distressing" is grammatically incorrect, lacking the verb "is". Ludwig AI points this out. The corrected form, "it is really distressing" or "it's really distressing", expresses a feeling of unease or concern and is often found in News & Media sources. Alternatives include phrases like "it is truly upsetting" or "it is quite troubling". When writing, ensure you include the verb to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is really distressing

This is the grammatically correct version of the original phrase, adding the necessary verb 'is'.

it's truly upsetting

Replaces "distressing" with "upsetting" and "really" with "truly", maintaining similar meaning with slightly stronger emotion.

it's quite troubling

Substitutes "distressing" with "troubling" indicating a cause for concern, but potentially less severe.

it's deeply concerning

Emphasizes the level of worry or anxiety caused by something.

it's exceptionally worrying

Highlights the exceptional nature of the concern or worry, amplifying the original sentiment.

it's acutely disturbing

Conveys a more intense sense of unease and disturbance than the original phrase.

it's genuinely alarming

Indicates a sense of danger or urgency associated with the situation.

it's profoundly unsettling

Focuses on the deeply disruptive or destabilizing effect of the situation.

it's awfully disheartening

Highlights the demoralizing or discouraging aspect of the situation.

it's terribly regrettable

Indicates that the situation is a cause for sorrow or disappointment.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it really distressing"?

The grammatically correct way to express this sentiment is to include the verb "is", making it "it is really distressing" or, in its contracted form, "it's really distressing".

What can I say instead of "it really distressing"?

You can use alternatives like "it is truly upsetting", "it is quite troubling", or "it is deeply concerning" depending on the context.

Is "it really distressing" grammatically correct?

No, "it really distressing" is grammatically incorrect. The phrase requires the verb "is" to be grammatically sound. The correct form is "it is really distressing" or "it's really distressing".

What's the difference between "it really distressing" and "it is really distressing"?

"It really distressing" is grammatically incorrect due to the missing verb. "It is really distressing" is the grammatically correct version, using the verb "is" to complete the sentence.