looks distressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks distressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears to cause worry or concern. Example: "The news report about the natural disaster looks distressing, and I hope everyone is safe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We're seeing a lot of news that looks distressing, including backing away from buying distressed securities.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's a little bit distressing that looks count for so much".

The Guardian - Opinion

For that reason, there's one final way it's worthwhile to consider such deaths: the number of homicides per million people in that age group: This chart looks somewhat different – and distressing.

The Guardian

To not be scrutinized as to whether or not we exist, but to be partners in the quest to examine what that existence currently looks like -- bleak, distressing, with elements of resilience -- and what it could become.

Huffington Post

We're learning institutions and this is something for everybody to learn from... "Look, it is distressing.

The Guardian

This essay film, by Noël Burch and Allan Sekula, is beautiful to look at and distressing to think about, as it offers an unsparing account of exploited labor on land and sea.

The New York Times

However, since you're reading this blog or my book The Naked Interview: Hiring Without Regret then you may have been experiencing personnel problems or be looking to end distressing turnover that has been haunting your business for years.

Huffington Post

It looks in detail at the distressing issues that can affect many cancer patients following their treatment.

The Guardian

It's distressing to McEnroe that when he looks out at tennis today he sees a game in trouble.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is distressing to look at today – because it is an image for our time.

The Guardian - Arts

Jockey Martin Dwyer is looking to put a distressing year behind him today when he will ask a disciplinary hearing at the British Horseracing Authority for the 56-day ban imposed on him in India not to be applied in this country.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks distressing" to describe situations or appearances that cause immediate worry or concern. It's effective for conveying a sense of unease or alarm based on visual assessment. It's important to be precise when using "looks distressing". Ensure the visual element is genuinely causing distress, not just mild concern. This phrase carries significant weight, so reserve it for situations that warrant a strong reaction.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating situations by using "looks distressing" when a simpler, more neutral description would suffice. Overuse can diminish its impact and credibility. Also be aware that certain communities have undergone and continue to undergo hardship - you can use other alternatives, for example in the context of social commentary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks distressing" functions as a descriptive expression, where "looks" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "distressing". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It effectively conveys that something has an appearance that causes concern or worry.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

17%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks distressing" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys worry or concern based on appearance. It is deemed correct by Ludwig AI and commonly found in News & Media, Wiki and Science. While not exceedingly frequent, it serves as a practical way to express unease, and one should use precise language and avoid overuse of emotive language.

Alternative phrasing like "appears worrying" and "seems alarming", provide similar but slightly nuanced ways to express concern. When considering usage, be mindful of the context to ensure that the gravity of "distressing" aligns with the situation described. In conclusion, the phrase is a valuable tool for expressing concern about appearances or situations, provided it's used judiciously and with an awareness of its impact on the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears worrying

Changes the verb from 'looks' to 'appears' and replaces 'distressing' with 'worrying', slightly altering the emotional impact.

seems alarming

Replaces 'looks' with 'seems' and 'distressing' with 'alarming', indicating a higher level of concern.

presents a troubling picture

Offers a more descriptive and figurative alternative, focusing on the overall impression created.

gives cause for concern

Shifts the focus to the reason for worry, rather than the appearance itself.

is outwardly concerning

Emphasizes that the concern is based on external observation, using 'outwardly' to specify the perspective.

portrays a grim reality

Uses stronger language to convey a bleak or negative situation.

suggests underlying problems

Implies that there are deeper issues beneath the surface of what is visible.

raises serious doubts

Focuses on the uncertainty and skepticism caused by the appearance.

evokes feelings of unease

Highlights the emotional response triggered by the observed situation.

manifests as anxiety-provoking

More formally describes the appearance as causing anxiety.

FAQs

What does "looks distressing" mean?

The phrase "looks distressing" means something appears to be causing worry, anxiety, or suffering based on its appearance. It suggests that the visual impression is troubling or disturbing.

How can I use "looks distressing" in a sentence?

You can use "looks distressing" to describe various situations, such as: "The news report "seems alarming"" or "The patient's condition "appears worrying"".

What are some alternatives to "looks distressing"?

Some alternatives to "looks distressing" include "appears worrying", "seems alarming", or "presents a troubling picture".

Is "looks distressing" formal or informal?

"Looks distressing" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and audience. It's suitable for news reports, academic papers, and everyday conversations.