troubling me

USAGE SUMMARY

"troubling me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is worrying you or causing you distress. For example: The recent news about the coronavirus outbreak is really troubling me.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

This is what's troubling me.

The New York Times

It had been troubling me for years".

The New York Times - Style

By now, the resemblance was troubling me.

The Guardian - Opinion

He added: "They didn't look; that's what's troubling me.

The New York Times

"Swinging and missing was troubling me," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

There was something about his eyes that was troubling me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Categories trouble me.

The New York Times

This troubled me.

The New York Times - Science

Another question troubled me.

The Guardian

Oh, Yoko, you trouble me so.

The New York Times - Magazine

"My hesitation troubled me," he wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "troubling me" to express a specific concern or worry that you are currently experiencing. It indicates a sense of unease or mild distress.

Common error

While "troubling me" is appropriate in many situations, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "bothering me", "worrying me", or "concerning me" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "troubling me" primarily functions as a present participle phrase acting as a verb to describe the act of causing worry or concern to the speaker. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show its use in expressing personal concerns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

18%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "troubling me" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a sense of worry, concern, or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, with a neutral register that makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science sources, and can be effectively replaced with synonyms like "bothering me" or "worrying me" to avoid overuse. When using the phrase, ensure it clearly conveys a specific concern and consider the context to maintain the appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bothering me

Direct synonym expressing something is causing annoyance or worry.

worrying me

Similar in meaning, indicating that something is causing anxiety or concern.

concerning me

A more formal way to express that something is causing concern.

playing on my mind

Indicates that something is persistently occupying your thoughts and causing unease.

weighing on my mind

Suggests that something is causing mental burden or stress.

preying on my mind

Implies a more intense and disturbing form of worry.

causing me anxiety

Specifically points to the feeling of anxiety as a result of something.

making me uneasy

Expresses a feeling of discomfort or apprehension.

giving me cause for concern

Highlights that there is a valid reason to be worried.

filling me with apprehension

Focuses on the feeling of dread or anticipation of something negative.

FAQs

How can I use "troubling me" in a sentence?

"Troubling me" is used to express that something is causing you worry or concern. For instance, you could say, "The latest news about the economy is "troubling me"."

What are some alternatives to saying "troubling me"?

Alternatives include "bothering me", "worrying me", or "concerning me". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "that's troubling to me" instead of "that's troubling me"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "that's troubling me" is more direct and commonly used. "That's troubling to me" is slightly more formal and can sound less natural in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "troubling me" and "troubled by"?

"Troubling me" indicates a current state of worry or concern that someone or something is causing. "Troubled by", on the other hand, suggests a state of being affected or disturbed by something, often over a longer period.