it was traumatic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was traumatic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an experience that caused significant emotional distress or psychological impact. Example: "After the accident, I realized it was traumatic for everyone involved, and we needed to seek help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At first, it was traumatic.

The New York Times

It was traumatic for the United States.

The New Yorker

The civil war was momentous because it was traumatic.

The Economist

But your donation wasn't casual; it was traumatic.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was traumatic for a 4½ -year-old to see his little brother in a coffin.

The Washington Post

Did the same thing happen to you? A. It was traumatic.

The New York Times - Science

If you lived through all this, and disliked capitalism, it was traumatic.

The Guardian - Books

"It was traumatic at the time," he says, "but in the end I felt we had been largely vindicated".

The Guardian

Niall Murphy, a lawyer representing the families of some of Mr. Haggarty's victims, said it was traumatic for the families to sit in court on Friday and hear Mr. Haggarty plead guilty to the murders, knowing his sentence could be lenient.

The New York Times

Looking back on the controversy she and her colleagues stirred, she says it was traumatic.

Science Magazine

I liked it, but it was traumatic too because I would remember when I was a child.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was traumatic" to describe experiences that genuinely caused significant emotional or psychological distress, not just minor inconveniences.

Common error

Avoid using "it was traumatic" to describe minor inconveniences or slightly unpleasant experiences. This can diminish the impact of the phrase when describing genuinely distressing events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was traumatic" functions as a statement describing a past experience or event. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability for conveying significant emotional distress or psychological impact. The pronoun 'it' refers to a specific situation, and 'was traumatic' serves as the predicate, attributing the quality of being emotionally distressing to that situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was traumatic" is a commonly used expression to convey that a past event caused significant emotional or psychological distress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, it's crucial to ensure its use aligns with the gravity of the experience being described. Overusing it for minor inconveniences can dilute its impact. Remember to clearly identify what "it" refers to, avoiding any ambiguity. Several alternatives exist, such as ""it was a deeply disturbing event"" or ""it left a lasting scar"", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it proved to be a traumatic experience

Adds emphasis on the lasting impact of the event as an experience.

it was a deeply disturbing event

Focuses on the unsettling and emotionally affecting nature of the event.

it was a harrowing ordeal

Highlights the challenging and distressing nature of the situation.

it left a lasting scar

Emphasizes the enduring emotional impact.

it was an emotionally scarring incident

Highlights the emotional damage caused by the incident.

it caused significant distress

Focuses on the emotional suffering that resulted.

it was a painful experience

Emphasizes the unpleasantness and hurt associated with the event.

it was profoundly upsetting

Stresses the deeply disturbing nature of the event.

it shook me to my core

Emphasizes the deeply personal and destabilizing effect.

it was a tough time

Understates the severity, suitable for less formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "it was traumatic" in a sentence?

You can use "it was traumatic" to describe a past event that caused significant emotional or psychological distress. For example, "After the accident, "it was traumatic" for everyone involved."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was traumatic"?

Alternatives include "it was a deeply disturbing event", "it was a harrowing ordeal", or "it left a lasting scar", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "it was traumatic" in formal writing?

Yes, "it was traumatic" is appropriate in formal writing as long as the context warrants it. Ensure the situation genuinely caused significant emotional distress or psychological impact.

What is the difference between "it was traumatic" and "it was difficult"?

"It was traumatic" implies a significant emotional or psychological impact, while "it was difficult" simply indicates a challenging or tough situation without necessarily implying deep emotional distress.