kind of upset

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of upset" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a mild or moderate level of being upset about something. Example: "After hearing the news, I was kind of upset, but I understood the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Kind of upset about that".

The New York Times

"That kind of upset me.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was kind of upset, a little," Mr. Zheng conceded.

The New York Times

"But it's kind of upset a lot of people here.

The Guardian

It kind of upset me a whole lot.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was shocked and kind of upset," she said.

The New York Times

But I realised he doesn't like any kind of upset.

The Guardian - Books

First, they were kind of upset, they don't see strawberry tart.

The New Yorker

"Terrible," Felton said, adding, "I'm still kind of upset with myself for having seven turnovers".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"That kind of upsets me," wide receiver Oronde Gadsden said.

The New York Times - Sports

"The thing that is kind of upsetting is how quickly the population dropped," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone else's feelings, consider the context and relationship. "Kind of upset" can be perceived as dismissive if the situation warrants a stronger expression of empathy.

Common error

Avoid using "kind of" excessively to qualify every emotion. Overuse can make your writing sound hesitant and lacking conviction. Vary your language with more precise adjectives to convey the exact degree of feeling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of upset" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the adjective "upset". It serves to qualify or soften the intensity of the feeling, indicating a mild or moderate level of being upset. Ludwig indicates it as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kind of upset" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a mild degree of unhappiness or annoyance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, this phrase is versatile enough for informal conversations. When writing, remember to vary your language to avoid overuse. It's a softer way to describe feeling upset, suitable for situations where downplaying emotion is desired. Be aware that depending on the situation a better alternative to ""kind of upset"" might be "a little annoyed" or "slightly bothered".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly bothered

Indicates a milder form of being upset. It is less intense and more understated than "kind of upset".

a little annoyed

Focuses more on irritation rather than deep emotional upset. Suitable for minor inconveniences.

somewhat disappointed

Emphasizes the feeling of unmet expectations. It shifts the focus from general upset to specific disappointment.

mildly disturbed

Implies a sense of unease or disruption. It's more formal and less personal than "kind of upset".

a little put out

Indicates mild annoyance or inconvenience. It's a more idiomatic expression.

a bit disgruntled

Suggests a feeling of dissatisfaction or discontent. It's slightly stronger than "kind of upset" but still mild.

slightly agitated

Highlights a state of restlessness or nervousness, often due to a specific cause. More intense than "kind of upset".

rather displeased

A more formal and polite way of expressing unhappiness. Suitable for professional or formal settings.

a tad resentful

Implies a feeling of bitterness or indignation, often directed towards someone or something. Stronger and more specific than "kind of upset".

marginally aggrieved

A formal and less common way of saying someone feels wronged or offended. Suitable for legal or formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of upset" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of upset" to describe a mild feeling of unhappiness or annoyance. For example, "I was "kind of upset" when I found out my flight was delayed".

What are some alternatives to saying "kind of upset"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "slightly bothered", "a little annoyed", or "somewhat disappointed".

Is it better to say "kind of upset" or "very upset"?

It depends on the intensity of the emotion you want to convey. "Kind of upset" indicates a mild feeling, while "very upset" expresses a stronger, more intense emotion.

What's the difference between "kind of upset" and "upset"?

"Upset" generally suggests a stronger emotional reaction than ""kind of upset"". The addition of "kind of" softens the expression.