that troubled me

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "that troubled me" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express something that causes you concern or distress. For example: The poor living conditions of the homeless in our city troubled me.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"There are a number of death cases that troubled me," he said.

The New York Times

"There were things that troubled me, but also things that excited me".

The New York Times

I started to notice that there were very few women above me in the hierarchy and that troubled me.

The Guardian

Because my lunchtime friend had put me in my place with so much energy, I didn't ask him the other question that troubled me at the time.

The New York Times

Here's a detail that troubled me: after the fatal shooting the officer is returned to active firearms duties in a matter of weeks.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A martyr I took to the market in Qadhimeya blew himself up near women and children and that troubled me, but the next day I was calm about it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

I write about the things that trouble me.

The New York Times - Arts

Some things that trouble me about relationships: realising you can spend all weekend in bed watching Silicon Valley with someone, and feel fine about that.

Vice

Some things that trouble me about relationships: realizing you can spend all weekend in bed watching Silicon Valley with someone and feel fine about it.

Vice

That troubles me, too.

The New York Times

That troubles me deeply.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that troubled me", ensure the context clearly defines what 'that' refers to, maintaining clarity and avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

While "that troubled me" is perfectly acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "that concerned me" or "that raised concerns" in professional or academic writing. This adds a layer of sophistication and aligns with the tone expected in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that troubled me" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information or expressing a personal reaction to a preceding statement or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and expresses concern. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in various narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that troubled me" is a commonly used phrase that effectively conveys a personal sense of unease or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for expressing feelings about specific situations. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience. For more formal settings, synonyms like "that concerned me" might be more appropriate. As seen in Ludwig's examples, the phrase appears frequently in news and media, reflecting its broad applicability in describing reactions to events. When you want to express that something caused a negative emotion inside you, "that troubled me" is a solid option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that worried me

This alternative is a direct synonym, replacing 'troubled' with 'worried' to convey a similar feeling of anxiety or concern.

that concerned me

This alternative replaces 'troubled' with 'concerned', indicating a feeling of unease and prompting attention or action.

that bothered me

This alternative uses 'bothered' instead of 'troubled', suggesting a feeling of mild irritation or disturbance.

that disturbed me

This alternative uses 'disturbed' instead of 'troubled', suggesting a feeling of being unsettled or mentally agitated.

that unsettled me

This alternative replaces 'troubled' with 'unsettled', indicating a feeling of being uneasy or anxious.

that made me anxious

This alternative uses a more explicit expression of feeling anxious, highlighting the emotional impact.

that gave me cause for concern

This alternative is a more formal way of expressing concern, indicating a specific reason for worry.

that raised my concerns

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of concerns being raised or brought to attention.

that weighed on my mind

This alternative suggests a persistent feeling of worry or concern that is difficult to dismiss.

that preyed on my mind

This alternative indicates a more intense and intrusive form of worry or concern that is difficult to shake off.

FAQs

What does "that troubled me" mean?

The phrase "that troubled me" indicates that something caused you concern, worry, or unease. It expresses a personal feeling of being disturbed or bothered by a particular situation or event.

What are some alternatives to "that troubled me"?

You can use alternatives like "that worried me", "that concerned me", or "that bothered me" to express a similar sentiment.

Is "that troubled me" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "that troubled me" may sound too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider using "that concerned me" or "that raised my concerns" for a more sophisticated tone.

How can I use "that troubled me" in a sentence?

You can use "that troubled me" to express your personal reaction to an event or situation. For example, "The fact that so many people are struggling with poverty, that troubled me greatly." Here, it indicates that the speaker is disturbed by the prevalence of poverty.