that was distressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was distressing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something caused feelings of anxiety, worry, or discomfort in the past. Example: "When I heard the news about the accident, I realized that was distressing for everyone involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was the fava part that was distressing.

The New York Times - Food

"But he felt there was, in his view, clear evidence that the women were speaking with credibility, that they should be believed, they were subject to behaviour that was distressing, that Chris Rennard should reflect on his behaviour and he should apologise and I think it is a matter of very real regret, to put it mildly, that, so far at least, he hasn't chosen to apologise.

The Guardian

But why would Apple, Google, and Amazon be so disrespectful of consumers as to delay for months or years fixing a major--and easily remedied--problem that was distressing many parents?

Huffington Post

With these stories as an introduction, students worked in groups of 6 to disclose an experience in their own lives that was distressing, but not deeply personal.

BMC Medical Education

Wendy: while I was waiting somebody else had…who had been recalled, um, had been told that they, you know, they did have something and obviously they were distressed and, you know, people waiting, that was distressing as well…I could hear, I couldn't see her, but I could hear her and that was distressing, yes.

BMJ Open

So that was distressing for me.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 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

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

When using "that was distressing", ensure the context clearly identifies what caused the distress. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "that was distressing" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Consider stronger or more precise synonyms like "troubling" or "concerning" to convey the gravity of the situation more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was distressing" functions as a descriptive statement expressing that something caused emotional discomfort or anxiety. Ludwig AI indicates that it's considered correct and usable in written English. The phrase typically refers to a past event or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that was distressing" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a past event caused emotional discomfort. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for general use, although stronger synonyms might be preferred in highly formal or scientific contexts. The phrase is frequently found in news and media and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the source of distress to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was upsetting

Replaces "distressing" with a more common synonym, indicating a feeling of being disturbed or unhappy.

that was worrying

Directly indicates something caused concern or anxiety.

that was troubling

Substitutes "distressing" with a word that suggests something caused worry or anxiety.

that was concerning

Similar to "troubling", but emphasizes the worry or anxiety caused by something.

that was disturbing

Implies something caused significant unease or disruption, more intense than "distressing".

that was alarming

Suggests something caused sudden fear or shock, a stronger emotional response.

it caused me distress

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the personal impact of the distress.

that was disheartening

Indicates something caused a loss of morale or enthusiasm.

that was painful

Highlights the emotional suffering caused by something, rather than just unease.

that was regrettable

Suggests something is unfortunate and caused sorrow or disappointment.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "that was distressing"?

You can use alternatives like "that was upsetting", "that was troubling", or "that was concerning" depending on the context.

How do I use "that was distressing" in a sentence?

"That was distressing" is typically used to describe a past event or situation that caused someone anxiety, worry, or discomfort. For example, "Hearing about the layoffs, that was distressing for all of us".

Is "that was distressing" formal or informal?

"That was distressing" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider stronger synonyms to convey the gravity of the situation more effectively.

What's the difference between "that was distressing" and "that was upsetting"?

While both phrases express negative feelings, "that was distressing" often implies a deeper level of anxiety or unease, whereas "that was upsetting" generally indicates something caused unhappiness or disturbance. The choice depends on the specific emotion you want to convey.