it was really upsetting

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'it was really upsetting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that caused distress or negative feelings. For example: "I heard that my old friend had passed away and it was really upsetting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It was really upsetting.

Independent

It was really upsetting me.

The Guardian - Film

We tried to put a brave face on it all but it was really upsetting.

The Guardian

"Gone Too Far! was my first play, so I think people thought, 'Ooh, it's OK.' Then, with Off the Endz, they were like, 'It's on the main stage, it's set on an estate, and she didn't spell "ends" right.' It was really upsetting.

The Guardian

"It was really upsetting," Mr. White said.

The New York Times

"It was really upsetting," Collins said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The journalist, who writes columns for the Evening Standard and the Independent, told the Guardian: "It's really upsetting.

The Guardian - Tech

Tell your parents about how you were minding your own business or whatever situation you were in, and then how your brother started annoying you and that it is really upsetting you.

WikiHow

I was asked to go on BBC News that night and I couldn't do it because I was really upset.

The Guardian - Arts

The prosecuting barrister, John Price QC, asked the alleged victim how the incident made her feel, she replied: "I was really upset by it.

Independent

And I never even knew it was gonna happen, and I was really upset.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an upsetting event, be specific about what caused the distress and its impact. Providing context enhances the reader's understanding and empathy.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the phrase "it was really upsetting". Vary your language to provide a more nuanced description of your emotions and the situation. Consider using more descriptive adjectives or elaborating on the specific impact of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was really upsetting" functions as a declarative statement, expressing a subjective emotional reaction to a specific event or situation. It serves to communicate the speaker's feeling of distress or unhappiness, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was really upsetting" is a common and grammatically correct way to express feelings of distress or unhappiness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, indicating its general acceptability. While it functions primarily to communicate an emotional state, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, considering more descriptive alternatives to provide nuanced accounts. While versatile, tailoring language for the intended audience and context ensures clarity and effectiveness in conveying the intended sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was truly disheartening

Changes the intensifier and uses a more formal synonym for "upsetting".

it was deeply troubling

Emphasizes the disturbing nature of the event or situation.

it was genuinely disturbing

Highlights the disturbing and unsettling nature of the experience.

i found it very disturbing

Expresses the sentiment from a personal perspective.

it was rather devastating

Emphasizes the severe impact and overwhelming nature of the situation.

it caused me great distress

Shifts the focus to the personal impact of the upsetting event.

it was extremely frustrating

Focuses on the feeling of annoyance and helplessness caused by the situation.

it left me feeling quite disturbed

Describes the lingering emotional impact.

it was incredibly disappointing

Highlights the unmet expectations and letdown.

it was a source of great sorrow

Focuses on the sadness and grief associated with the event.

FAQs

What does "it was really upsetting" mean?

The phrase "it was really upsetting" expresses that something caused significant emotional distress or unhappiness. It indicates that the event or situation was notably disturbing or disheartening.

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

You can use "it was really upsetting" to describe something that made you feel sad, angry, or disturbed. For example, "Hearing about the accident /s/was+really+upsetting" or "The news /s/was+really+upsetting".

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

You can use alternatives like "it was truly disheartening", "it was deeply troubling", or "I found it very disturbing" depending on the context.

Is "it was really upsetting" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was really upsetting" is generally considered neutral. While widely used in various contexts, more formal alternatives might be preferable in professional or academic settings. However, it is perfectly acceptable for everyday conversations and writing.