that is distressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that is distressing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is causing worry, concern, or sadness. Example: "The news about the rising number of homeless individuals in our city is that is distressing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"For us not to be able to resolve that issue has been something that is distressing".

Independent

Users who consistently publish content that is distressing to others are contacted and sometimes removed altogether, although Critchley says this is a rare occurrence.

The Guardian

There is so much that is distressing about the case of JS, the 14-year-old girl with terminal cancer who wished to be cryonically preserved after death, in the hope that she could be revived when a cure for her rare illness had been discovered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Q. My mom has Alzheimer's disease and has been exhibiting behavior that is distressing to me.

Los Angeles Times

This may have been further compounded by an appreciation of research focusing on a symptom that is distressing, yet not often discussed openly, as highlighted in the earlier phases of this research [ 13, 14, 35].

BMC Palliative Care

That is distressing news for Southeastern Conference batters, but a thrilling prospect for L.S.U.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It was the fava part that was distressing.

The New York Times - Food

The first thing that's distressing about this is the dismissal of the spreadsheet crowd.

Harvard Business Review

Aesthetic, or cosmetic, surgery is the enhancement of normal structures that are subject to age-related changes or that have unusual features that are distressing to the patient.

Encyclopedia Britannica

First, the product of frequency and intensity is obtained: ["F" × "I"] means F (frequency) multiplied by I (intensity) and the final value = [(frequencies score) × (intensity score)] is obtained, allowing to identify individual items or situations that are distressing.

Annals of Intensive Care

Finally, some interviewees discussed matters that were distressing for the researcher, for example violence (as perpetrators or survivors).

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that is distressing" to express concern or sympathy in a relatively formal and neutral tone, suitable for news reports or academic writing. For example: "The fact that so many people are affected by the crisis is "that is distressing".

Common error

Avoid using "that is distressing" too often in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or insincere in such contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives like "that's sad" or "that's awful" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that is distressing" functions as a comment or evaluation about a situation or piece of information. It expresses a sense of concern, worry, or sadness. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

7%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that is distressing" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey concern, worry, or sadness regarding a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across different contexts. It is generally suitable for formal and neutral settings like news reports, academic papers, or professional communications. While generally appropriate, consider its formality and opt for more casual alternatives in informal conversations. Remember to use more direct or stronger synonyms such as "that is upsetting" or "that is troubling" depending on the specific nuance that is desirable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is upsetting

Replaces "distressing" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the emotional disturbance caused.

that is troubling

Substitutes "distressing" with "troubling", indicating something that causes concern or anxiety.

that is concerning

Uses "concerning" instead of "distressing", emphasizing the aspect of something that raises worries.

that is worrisome

Replaces "distressing" with "worrisome", highlighting the anxiety or unease caused by the situation.

that is regrettable

Shifts the focus to expressing sorrow or disappointment about a situation.

that is unfortunate

Indicates that something is unlucky or undesirable.

that is disheartening

Emphasizes the loss of morale or enthusiasm caused by something.

that is alarming

Uses a stronger term to convey a sense of urgency and potential danger.

it is a cause for concern

Changes the structure to highlight the reason for worry.

it's a matter of concern

Similar to the previous one, this phrase focuses on something that should be given serious thought.

FAQs

How can I use "that is distressing" in a sentence?

"That is distressing" is used to express concern or sorrow about a situation. For example: "The report showed a significant increase in poverty, "that is distressing".

What are some alternatives to saying "that is distressing"?

Alternatives include "that is upsetting", "that is troubling", or "that is concerning", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "that is distressing" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "that is distressing" is appropriate for formal writing, such as news articles, reports, and academic papers. It conveys concern in a relatively neutral and professional manner.

What's the difference between "that is distressing" and "that's distressing"?

"That is distressing" is slightly more formal than "that's distressing", which is a contraction. Both are grammatically correct, but the full form may be preferred in very formal contexts.