quite distressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite distressing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is causing someone grief, worry, or emotional distress. For example: "The death of his beloved pet was quite distressing for John."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

It's quite distressing really".

The Guardian

"The hunger strike is quite distressing," she said.

The New York Times

(Firing people is another power that is quite distressing to exercise).

The New York Times

"It was quite distressing and quite alarming when we checked," Mr. Strome said.

The New York Times

He is very weak and this is quite distressing for him, especially in his confused state," said his daughter.

The Guardian

In some cases this can be quite distressing but I'm sure he is well equipped to cope with that.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

"It's rather distressing.

BBC

"It was quite a distressing time," he recalls.

The Guardian

At that time I hated it – the sensation terrified me – and to this day I don't think practitioners of what might be seen to be more extreme forms of BDSM realise quite how distressing tickling can be to someone who really can't cope with it.

Vice

No, it is "a dreary, desolate, and indeed quite abject and distressing one; what we might call, by way of eminence, the dismal science".Carlyle was a fine one to talk.

The Economist

About half (51%) of respondents reported that they found situations involving inappropriate treatment distressing (quite, very, or extremely) (nurses 52% versus doctors 48%).

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite distressing" to express a moderate level of emotional upset or concern about a situation. It's suitable when something is more than just slightly bothersome but not severely traumatizing.

Common error

While "quite distressing" is generally acceptable, consider using more precise and impactful language in formal writing or professional settings to convey the specific nuance of the situation. Alternatives like "deeply concerning" or "markedly troubling" might be more appropriate depending on the severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite distressing" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that causes worry or emotional upset. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

22%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite distressing" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express a moderate level of worry or emotional upset. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is widespread across various sources, particularly in news media and scientific publications. While generally neutral in tone, consider using more precise language in formal contexts. Alternatives such as "rather upsetting" or "somewhat troubling" can offer subtle differences in meaning. Use "quite distressing" when you want to convey a sense of concern that is more than mild, but not severely alarming.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very upsetting

Replaces "quite" with "very", intensifying the degree of distress.

rather upsetting

Replaces "distressing" with "upsetting" and "quite" with "rather", slightly altering the intensity.

fairly disturbing

Replaces "distressing" with "disturbing" and "quite" with "fairly", representing a moderate degree of worry.

somewhat troubling

Substitutes "distressing" with "troubling" and "quite" with "somewhat", softening the emotional impact.

extremely worrying

Substitutes "distressing" with "worrying" and "quite" with "extremely", conveying a higher level of concern.

deeply concerning

Replaces "distressing" with "concerning" and "quite" with "deeply", indicating a more serious level of worry.

genuinely disheartening

Replaces "distressing" with "disheartening" and "quite" with "genuinely", emphasizing the sadness caused.

mildly alarming

Substitutes "distressing" with "alarming" and "quite" with "mildly", lessening the sense of unease.

noticeably perturbing

Replaces "distressing" with "perturbing" and "quite" with "noticeably", indicating a more formal tone.

distinctly unpleasant

Substitutes "distressing" with "unpleasant" and "quite" with "distinctly", focusing on the disagreeable nature of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite distressing" to describe events, situations, or news that causes you emotional discomfort or worry. For example: "The news of the layoffs was "quite distressing"."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "quite distressing"?

Alternatives to "quite distressing" include "rather upsetting", "somewhat troubling", or "deeply concerning". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emotion you want to convey.

Is "quite distressing" too formal or informal?

"Quite distressing" strikes a balance between formal and informal. It's generally suitable for most types of writing and conversation, though in very formal or academic contexts, a more precise term may be preferable.

What's the difference between "quite distressing" and "very distressing"?

While both express a degree of emotional upset, "very distressing" indicates a stronger level of concern or sadness than "quite distressing". The choice depends on the intensity of the feeling you wish to express.