it was really distressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was really distressing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or experience that caused significant emotional discomfort or anxiety. Example: "When I heard the news about the accident, it was really distressing to think about the families involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 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

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Music

"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

It was really very distressing".

Independent

People thought he might be a terrorist and were asking, 'Why are you deporting this guy?' "We moved to the front of the plane because it was really quite distressing and then moved back again.

The Guardian

The Edinburgh mother added: "The report is really distressing to read.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing personal experiences, use "it was really distressing" to convey genuine emotional impact without resorting to overly dramatic language. This adds authenticity and helps the audience connect with your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "it was really distressing" repeatedly within a short span. Vary your language with synonyms like "upsetting", "troubling", or more specific descriptions of your emotional state to maintain reader engagement and prevent the description from sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was really distressing" functions as a descriptive expression. It primarily serves to communicate a subjective emotional experience, indicating that a particular event or situation caused significant emotional discomfort or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was really distressing" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a sense of emotional upset or anxiety. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While not overly formal, it effectively communicates personal feelings of distress. To avoid repetition, consider using synonyms such as "it was quite upsetting" or "it was deeply troubling". The phrase is relatively uncommon, suggesting that while understandable and valid, there might be more popular ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was truly upsetting

Replaces "really distressing" with "truly upsetting", emphasizing the feeling of being emotionally disturbed.

it was quite upsetting

Uses "quite upsetting" instead of "really distressing", slightly softening the intensity of the emotion.

it was deeply troubling

Substitutes "really distressing" with "deeply troubling", suggesting a more profound sense of worry or concern.

it was intensely disturbing

Replaces "really distressing" with "intensely disturbing", conveying a higher degree of emotional disturbance.

it was profoundly disturbing

Replaces "really distressing" with "profoundly disturbing", conveying a stronger sense of shock and unease.

it was remarkably unsettling

Substitutes with "remarkably unsettling", indicating that the situation caused a significant disruption to one's peace of mind.

it was exceptionally painful

Changes "really distressing" to "exceptionally painful", focusing on the emotional hurt experienced.

it was very disheartening

Employs "very disheartening" to replace "really distressing", highlighting the loss of morale or enthusiasm.

it was acutely agonizing

Replaces with "acutely agonizing", emphasizing the intensity and duration of the emotional pain.

it caused significant anguish

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal expression indicating severe suffering or distress.

FAQs

How can I use "it was really distressing" in a sentence?

Use "it was really distressing" to describe a situation that caused you significant emotional discomfort or anxiety. For example, "When I heard about the layoffs, "it was really distressing" to think about my colleagues."

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

You can use alternatives like "it was quite upsetting", "it was deeply troubling", or "it was very disheartening" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it was really distressing" or "it was very distressing"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or desired emphasis, although ""it was really distressing"" might be perceived as slightly more informal.

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

Adding "really" intensifies the emotion being expressed. "It was distressing" describes a situation that caused discomfort, while ""it was really distressing"" emphasizes that the situation caused a significant degree of emotional upset.