suffer distress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffer distress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is experiencing emotional or physical pain or discomfort. Example: "After the accident, she began to suffer distress that affected her daily life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

While the empire continued to suffer distress, he was dethroned and imprisoned (496), but he escaped to the Hephthalites and was restored (499) with their assistance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The legislation will ensure that any individual prosecuted under these offences will no longer suffer distress or be disadvantaged by a criminal record in relation to travel, employment, and volunteering," said a statement from Vanessa Goodwin, the Tasmanian attorney general.

The Guardian

REUTERS SeaWorld's Pre-Emptive Strike on Critical Documentary  |�� SeaWorld, the theme park operator controlled by the Blackstone Group that went public this year, sent out a detailed critique of "Blackfish," a documentary set for release on Friday in New York and Los Angeles that makes the case that orca whales in captivity suffer distress because of confinement.

The New York Times

In April 2002, Passages began offering a two-week program catering to actors and other persons who suffer distress while making movies.

Forbes

Children discovering they are not and cannot be citizens like their schoolmates suffer distress, shame and anger.

Vice

Investigators theorized she intended the children to suffer distress so that she could resuscitate them and look like a hero.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Many miles of CRCP and JCP in Texas suffer distresses due to longitudinal joint separation and slab faulting.

Construction and Building Materials

"It is admitted that the claimant suffered distress.

The Guardian

BBC lawyers said in a written defence that they accepted Richard had suffered distress, and bosses had apologised, but they disputed the compensation claims.

The Guardian

A BBC spokeswoman said on Wednesday: "As we have said on several occasions, we are very sorry that Sir Cliff Richard has suffered distress.

The Guardian

A BBC spokesperson said: "We've said previously we are very sorry that Sir Cliff has suffered distress but we have a duty to report on matters of public interest and we stand by our journalism".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suffer distress", ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the distress, whether it's physical, emotional, or psychological. For example, "Patients often "suffer distress" due to the side effects of chemotherapy."

Common error

While "suffer distress" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make the tone melodramatic. Consider stronger, more precise verbs that convey the specific nature of the suffering. For example, instead of "The company "suffered distress" during the economic downturn," try "The company experienced financial losses during the economic downturn."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffer distress" functions as a verb phrase, where "suffer" acts as the main verb and "distress" serves as the direct object. This indicates the action of experiencing pain or hardship. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suffer distress" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe the experience of emotional or physical pain. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while relatively uncommon, it appears across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the source of the distress is clear to maintain effective communication. While acceptable, be mindful of overuse in formal contexts, as stronger verbs might provide more precise descriptions. Alternative phrases like "experience anguish" or "endure hardship" can offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffer torment

Focuses on extreme physical or mental suffering

be in agony

Highlights intense physical or mental suffering

experience anguish

Focuses specifically on intense mental or emotional suffering, emphasizing the depth of the pain.

feel anguish

Highlights the personal experience of deep sorrow, pain, or worry.

endure hardship

Highlights the prolonged nature of the suffering, suggesting resilience in the face of difficulties.

encounter adversity

Shifts the focus to facing challenging or unfavorable circumstances that cause distress.

undergo tribulation

Implies a trial or period of suffering, often with religious or moral undertones.

face difficulties

Describes dealing with problems and challenges, which could lead to distress.

bear affliction

Emphasizes the act of carrying or tolerating suffering, often with a sense of resignation.

languish

Focuses on the state of being weak or feeble, often due to prolonged suffering or neglect.

FAQs

What does it mean to "suffer distress"?

To ""suffer distress"" means to experience emotional or physical pain, discomfort, or anguish. It implies a state of being troubled or afflicted.

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

You can use ""suffer distress"" to describe someone's experience of hardship. For instance, "Refugees often "suffer distress" due to displacement and loss."

Which is a more formal alternative to "suffer distress"?

More formal alternatives include "endure hardship" or "experience adversity", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between ""suffer distress"" and "feel distress"?

While both phrases convey a sense of experiencing pain or discomfort, ""suffer distress"" often implies a more prolonged or intense experience than "feel distress."