it was very distressing

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It was very distressing to see Jerry fall apart.

The New Yorker

"It was very distressing, there were a lot of dead bodies on the roads and in rivers," Sandison recalls.

The Guardian

It was very distressing to have customers literally without food, without heat, without resources and these are unwell [and] disabled customers.

The Guardian

"We do this job to rescue and help people but in this case we were only spectators, it was very distressing".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It's very distressing sometimes.

The Guardian

"It's very distressing for my partner.

Independent

"It's very distressing to watch.

The New York Times

"It is very distressing for my granddaughter and my daughter.

Independent

Nichols said: "It's very distressing and very disturbing.

The Guardian

"It is very distressing as we recover more bodies day after day," said police spokesman Hitoshi Sugawara.

The Guardian

"It is very distressing that children should be expected to live like this in modern 21st century Europe," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was very distressing", ensure that the context clearly establishes what 'it' refers to. Providing specific details about the situation will enhance the impact and clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it was very distressing" as a general statement without providing context. Instead, specify what made the situation distressing and why it had such an effect. This strengthens your writing and makes the sentiment more relatable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very distressing" functions as a subjective commentary or evaluation of a past event or situation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used to communicate emotional distress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was very distressing" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to express emotional discomfort or upset about a past event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across various contexts. While versatile, remember to provide specific context to clarify the source of the distress. Consider alternatives like "it was very upsetting" or "it was extremely troubling" for nuanced expression. As a final point, this phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was deeply upsetting

Changes "distressing" to "upsetting" and "very" to "deeply" for emphasis while maintaining the original meaning.

it was extremely troubling

Replaces "distressing" with "troubling" and "very" with "extremely", suggesting a sense of worry or concern.

it was profoundly disturbing

Substitutes "distressing" with "disturbing" and "very" with "profoundly", indicating a deeper level of emotional impact.

it caused me great anguish

Shifts the focus to the personal experience of anguish, using stronger emotional language.

i found it deeply concerning

Changes the sentence structure and emphasizes the speaker's concern rather than the inherent nature of the situation.

it was a source of significant worry

Rephrases the idea to focus on the worry caused by the situation, using more formal language.

the experience was quite traumatic

Uses the word "traumatic" to describe a more severe and lasting emotional impact.

it left me feeling very disturbed

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the speaker's feeling of disturbance.

it was a painful experience

Focuses on the painful aspect of the experience, broadening the scope to include physical or emotional pain.

it was emotionally draining

Highlights the draining effect on one's emotional state, suggesting fatigue and depletion.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "it was very distressing"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it was deeply upsetting", "it was extremely troubling", or "it was profoundly disturbing" to convey a similar sentiment with greater gravity.

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

You can use "it was very distressing" to describe a situation that caused significant emotional pain or discomfort. For example: "When I heard the news about the accident, "it was very distressing" to think about the families affected."

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

The correct choice depends on the timing of the event you're describing. Use "it was very distressing" when referring to something that happened in the past. Use "it is very distressing" when describing something happening now or a general situation.

What can I say instead of "it was very distressing" to express similar feelings?

Depending on the specific emotion, you could use alternatives such as "it was very upsetting", "it was very troubling", or "i found it deeply concerning" to describe the experience.