this is upsetting

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'this is upsetting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this sentence when you want to express that something is disturbing or disconcerting. For example, "I am sorry that you had to go through this experience; I know that this is upsetting for you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Personal experiences

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"This is upsetting.

The New York Times

This is upsetting for your kids.

The New York Times - Style

"Sol, this is upsetting you, isn't it?" "Yes, because it's flawed in every capacity".

The Guardian - Sport

This is upsetting the other emerging superpower of the region, India, who does not want China's security establishment to have safe passage to the Arabian Sea.

The Guardian - Opinion

So the Haldane principle has been compromised, and this is upsetting a lot of academics who say that research not driven by application often has the greatest benefits".

The Guardian

If this is upsetting a balance, that is not because of anything the President might do, but because of the jockeying back and forth (which is what the Framers' checks and balances were all about).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

This was upsetting too, but it tackled the issue of medical ignorance about pre-eclampsia in 1920s England.

Independent

Pinckley said this was upsetting for her because she'd heard of instances like this in the past, so she decided to photograph more interracial couples.

HuffPost

Our take on this is UPSET – so named both because we are indeed upset with the current reality (and trends), and also because it is our goal to upset the overwhelming influence of money in politics.

University of California, Berkeley

"This question is upsetting the gymnasts".

The New York Times

"We know that this killing is upsetting to all Americans.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is upsetting" to express your reaction to news, events, or situations that cause emotional distress, concern, or frustration. It is suitable in many contexts, from casual conversation to more formal writing.

Common error

While "this is upsetting" is appropriate in many situations, avoid overusing it. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "disheartening", "troubling", or "concerning" to maintain reader engagement and express nuances in your feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is upsetting" functions as a statement expressing a negative emotional reaction to something. It serves to communicate that the speaker or writer is experiencing feelings of distress, worry, or frustration, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Opinion

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is upsetting" is a common and grammatically correct way to express emotional distress, worry, or frustration. According to Ludwig, it is versatile enough for both casual and formal communication. While appropriate for a wide range of contexts, it's best practice to vary your vocabulary to avoid overuse. Consider alternatives such as "this is disheartening" or "this is troubling" for more nuanced expression. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, personal opinions and to a smaller extent in formal business settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i find this upsetting

Adds a personal pronoun to emphasize the speaker's own feeling.

i'm upset by this

Shifts the focus to the speaker's emotional state and uses a passive construction.

this is disheartening

Replaces "upsetting" with a synonym suggesting a loss of morale or enthusiasm.

this is troubling

Substitutes "upsetting" with a term that implies something causing worry or concern.

this makes me feel upset

Focuses on the emotional impact and uses a more descriptive expression.

this is concerning

Replaces "upsetting" with a synonym that suggests something causing mild anxiety or unease.

this is disturbing

Changes "upsetting" to a term that suggests something is causing anxiety and unease.

this is frustrating

Emphasizes the irritating and discouraging aspect of the situation instead of emotional distress.

it's upsetting to see this

Modifies the sentence structure to focus on the act of witnessing something distressing.

this is a source of upset

Transforms the phrase into a more abstract statement about the cause of distress.

FAQs

What does "this is upsetting" mean?

The phrase "this is upsetting" expresses that something is causing emotional distress, worry, or frustration. It indicates a negative emotional reaction to a situation or piece of information.

What can I say instead of "this is upsetting"?

You can use alternatives like "this is disheartening", "this is troubling", or "this is concerning", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "this is upsetting" formal or informal?

The phrase "this is upsetting" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal situations might benefit from using a more precise or nuanced alternative, such as "this is deeply concerning".

How to use "this is upsetting" in a sentence?

You can use "this is upsetting" to express your reaction to an event or piece of information. For example, "Hearing about the layoffs, I have to say, "this is upsetting"."