it was upsetting

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was upsetting.

The New Yorker

"Of course it was upsetting.

Independent

When we landed, it was upsetting.

The New Yorker

It was a stupid kids' thing but it was upsetting.

The Guardian

She used to cry, and it was upsetting for a child to see his mother cry.

The New Yorker

She was in a relationship, and there were problems, and it was upsetting her.

The Guardian

He was asked if it was upsetting that the winning goal was scored by Walker.

The New York Times - Sports

For many in the field, not only myself, it was upsetting that his contributions were not credited.

The New York Times - Science

The Glastonbury organiser said it was upsetting given she had booked "something that was so exciting and interesting and fresh and brilliant for the festival".

Independent

Coughlin said it was "upsetting" that the Giants had made "the run we did and then come back to the same issues" from early last season.

The New York Times - Sports

In football one thing I have learned is that not much surprises you but I didn't expect West Ham fans to boo me and it was upsetting.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was upsetting" to express a personal emotional reaction to an event or situation. This phrase is most effective when you want to convey a sense of disappointment, distress, or mild anger. Use it to describe events that personally affected you or someone you know.

Common error

While "it was upsetting" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound too emotional or subjective. In such cases, consider more objective alternatives like "it was problematic" or "it presented challenges".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was upsetting" functions as a subjective expression. It describes a personal feeling or emotional response to a particular event, situation, or piece of information. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was upsetting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing a personal feeling of distress or disappointment. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for a range of contexts. While overwhelmingly found in News & Media, its emotional tone makes it appropriate for conveying subjective reactions. While there are stronger synonyms, it is an effective neutral option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was disappointing

Replaces "upsetting" with "disappointing", focusing on the feeling of unmet expectations.

it was disheartening

Uses "disheartening" to emphasize a loss of spirit or morale.

it was regrettable

Employs "regrettable" to suggest a sense of sorrow or remorse about the situation.

it was unfortunate

Substitutes "upsetting" with "unfortunate", highlighting the bad luck associated with the event.

it was disturbing

Replaces "upsetting" with "disturbing", which emphasizes a sense of unease or disquiet.

it was distressing

Uses "distressing" to convey a sense of acute suffering or anguish.

it was frustrating

Substitutes "upsetting" with "frustrating", highlighting the feeling of being blocked or hindered.

it was saddening

Employs "saddening" to emphasize the feeling of sorrow or unhappiness.

it was demoralizing

Uses "demoralizing" to convey a loss of confidence or hope.

it was painful

Replaces "upsetting" with "painful" which expresses emotional hurt or suffering.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was upsetting" to describe an event or situation that caused you distress or disappointment. For example, "It was upsetting to hear about the layoffs at the company".

What are some alternatives to "it was upsetting"?

Alternatives include "it was disappointing", "it was distressing", or "it was frustrating", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "it was upsetting" in writing?

Use "it was upsetting" when you want to express a personal feeling of distress or disappointment. It's suitable for informal and semi-formal contexts but may need to be replaced with a more formal alternative in academic or business writing.

Is "it was upsetting to me" redundant?

While not strictly redundant, adding "to me" to "it was upsetting" can sometimes emphasize that the feeling is personal. However, in most cases, "it was upsetting" already implies a personal reaction and doesn't require further clarification.