singularly distressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "singularly distressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is uniquely or exceptionally troubling or upsetting. Example: "The news of the disaster was singularly distressing, leaving the community in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I see you'll be the host of the first episode of te new Court TV series "Murder by the Book," in which you explore a singularly distressing unsolved case – your mother's homicide, which occurred when you were 10.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The grass is singularly green,.

The New Yorker

It's all singularly devitalized.

The New Yorker

"I rarely do anything singularly.

The New York Times - Arts

And a distressing solipsism..

The New Yorker

plotlines as "singularly compelling".

The New York Times - Arts

Singularly, a good man.

The New York Times

People singularly businesslike.

The New Yorker

Yet their rivalry is singularly contentious.

The New Yorker

It can be distressing.

The New Yorker

That's very distressing.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "singularly distressing", ensure that the context clearly establishes the source and nature of the distress, emphasizing its unique or exceptional quality.

Common error

Avoid using "singularly distressing" in informal or casual situations where a simpler adjective like "upsetting" or "troubling" would be more appropriate. It is best suited for formal writing or when emphasizing the exceptional nature of the distress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "singularly distressing" functions as an intensifier followed by an adjective, modifying a noun or noun phrase to describe something that causes a unique or exceptional level of distress. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase correctly indicates the intensity of the emotion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "singularly distressing" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, albeit relatively rare in occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is employed to describe situations that are exceptionally troubling or upsetting, best suited for formal contexts like news and media. While alternatives such as "uniquely upsetting" or "exceptionally troubling" exist, "singularly distressing" emphasizes the unique and intense nature of the distress, marking it as particularly noteworthy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uniquely upsetting

Replaces "distressing" with "upsetting" and "singularly" with "uniquely", altering the tone while maintaining the core meaning of something exceptionally troubling.

exceptionally troubling

Substitutes "singularly" with "exceptionally" and "distressing" with "troubling", emphasizing the problematic nature of the situation in a more direct way.

particularly disturbing

Replaces "singularly" with "particularly" and "distressing" with "disturbing", highlighting the unsettling nature of the situation.

remarkably upsetting

Uses "remarkably" to intensify "upsetting", indicating that the situation is notably causing distress.

unusually distressing

Emphasizes the uncommon nature of the distress caused by a situation.

profoundly unsettling

Replaces both words to convey a deep sense of unease, focusing on the unsettling aspect rather than direct distress.

deeply troubling

Highlights the depth of the concern and worry caused by a situation.

intensely worrying

Focuses on the worry aspect, emphasizing the high level of concern associated with the situation.

strikingly perturbing

Uses "perturbing" to convey the disturbance, adding a layer of formality and emphasizing how attention-grabbing the distress is.

acutely painful

Shifts the focus to the painful emotional impact, suggesting a sharp and intense emotional suffering.

FAQs

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

Use "singularly distressing" to describe a situation or event that is exceptionally troubling or upsetting. For example, "The news of the environmental disaster was "singularly distressing", leaving the community in shock".

What are some alternatives to "singularly distressing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "uniquely upsetting", "exceptionally troubling", or "particularly disturbing".

Is "singularly distressing" a formal phrase?

Yes, "singularly distressing" is a relatively formal phrase. It's suitable for academic, professional, or journalistic writing where a more precise and emphatic expression of distress is needed. In more informal contexts, simpler alternatives might be preferable.

What does "singularly" emphasize in the phrase "singularly distressing"?

The word "singularly" emphasizes that the distressing nature of the situation is unique, exceptional, or particularly noteworthy. It intensifies the feeling of distress, making it stand out from more common or ordinary sources of upset.