major distress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major distress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant level of emotional or physical suffering or discomfort. Example: "The sudden loss of her job caused her major distress, affecting her mental health and overall well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Colleagues who saw him at his last rehearsal said he showed no signs of major distress, although he looked thin and frail.

The Guardian - Music

In an interview last week, Mr. Samaras said that hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants fleeing hardship in Africa, South Asia and now Syria were creating "major distress" in Greece, which they use as a gateway to the European Union after entering through Turkey.

The New York Times

Rutting or permanent deformation is a major distress observed in flexible pavements.

Journal of Modern Transportation

My favorite indicator for the potential for such a "surprise cut" would be a close by Citigroup below $30 for two or perhaps three consecutive sessions, as the Fed is acutely tuned in to signs of major distress among the "too big to fail" banks.

Forbes

Some of these sites may list foreclosures, but for this section I'm talking about homes for sale by owners, not necessarily in major distress, just up for sale and mostly in demand in the retail buyer market only.

Huffington Post

In other words, it's not something that should be pathologized and, in most cases, probably isn't a source of concern it's really only likely to represent a problem when it occurs frequently and becomes a source of major distress or contributes to relationship problems.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Rutting is one of the major distresses of flexible pavement.

Construction and Building Materials

Stripping is one of the major distresses threatening the longevity of hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements.

Construction and Building Materials

Fatigue cracking, rutting and low temperature cracking are three major distresses of asphalt mixtures.

Construction and Building Materials

Fatigue cracking is one of the major distresses responsible for the failure of asphalt pavements.

Construction and Building Materials

The detrimental effect of water in asphalt mixtures is regarded as one of the major distresses in flexible pavements since it is generally accompanied by mechanical related distresses.

Construction and Building Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional or psychological states, use "major distress" to convey a significant level of suffering or impairment. Be specific about the cause of the distress for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "major distress" for everyday inconveniences or mild discomfort. Reserve it for situations involving genuine and significant suffering or difficulty to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major distress" functions as a noun phrase where "major" modifies the noun "distress". It typically acts as the object of a verb or the subject complement, indicating a significant level of suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major distress" is a phrase used to describe a significant level of suffering or difficulty, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts including Science, News & Media and Formal & Business. While usable in both formal and informal settings, it tends to appear more often in professional or news-related content. When writing, reserve "major distress" for situations involving genuine and substantial suffering. Alternative phrases such as "severe anguish" or "profound suffering" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe anguish

Focuses on the intense mental or emotional suffering.

profound suffering

Highlights the depth and intensity of the suffering experienced.

significant hardship

Emphasizes the difficult conditions and challenges faced.

intense tribulation

Suggests a period of severe trial or suffering.

extreme adversity

Points to a situation of great misfortune or difficulty.

serious affliction

Indicates a condition causing persistent pain or suffering.

deep sorrow

Focuses on the emotional pain and sadness experienced.

acute mental pain

Highlights the sharpness and intensity of the mental suffering.

considerable difficulty

Underlines the substantial challenges and problems encountered.

substantial agony

Emphasizes the prolonged and intense pain, either physical or emotional.

FAQs

How can I use "major distress" in a sentence?

Use "major distress" to describe a state of significant suffering or difficulty. For example, "The loss of her home caused her "major distress"."

What are some alternatives to saying "major distress"?

You can use alternatives like "severe anguish", "profound suffering", or "significant hardship" depending on the specific context.

Is "major distress" formal or informal?

"Major distress" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more appropriate for serious or professional discussions.

What kind of situations warrant the use of "major distress"?

"Major distress" is appropriate when describing situations involving significant emotional, psychological, or physical suffering, such as after a traumatic event or during a serious illness.