upset about

USAGE SUMMARY

"upset about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing feelings of distress or displeasure about something. For example: "I'm really upset about the way my team performed in the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Figure out what your upset about!

WikiHow

He's upset about ducks.

Independent

They're upset about taxes.

The New York Times

We are upset about it.

The Economist

"We are upset about that.

The New York Times

Who is upset about it?

The New Yorker

Kind of upset about that".

The New York Times

Quanitta was terribly upset about something.

The New York Times - Sports

"Am I upset about the budget cuts?

The New York Times

Julian was very upset about this.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm too upset about everything else".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upset about", be specific about the cause of the distress to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "I'm upset about it", specify "I'm upset about the delay in the project deadline".

Common error

In professional or academic writing, consider replacing "upset about" with more formal alternatives like "concerned about" or "disappointed by" to maintain a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upset about" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject by expressing their emotional state. It is used to indicate that someone is experiencing distress or displeasure due to a specific cause or event, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upset about" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to express feelings of distress or displeasure, as affirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adjectival phrase and is commonly found in news, media and informal sources. While generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in specific contexts. Remember to clearly specify the cause of your distress when using this phrase to ensure clarity. It is important to know alternatives like "angry about", "concerned about" or "disappointed about".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

angry about

Directly conveys anger or displeasure regarding a specific situation.

indignant about

Expresses stronger moral outrage or offense compared to simply being upset.

distressed about

Conveys a greater level of anxiety and suffering than simply being upset.

furious about

Indicates a higher level of anger and rage than just being upset.

frustrated about

Highlights feelings of annoyance and helplessness in the face of obstacles.

sad about

Focuses on sorrow and unhappiness, a different emotional shade than general upset.

unhappy about

Expresses general dissatisfaction or lack of joy, which may be milder than being upset.

disappointed about

Focuses on sadness and regret resulting from unmet expectations.

uncomfortable about

Implies unease or a lack of comfort rather than direct distress or displeasure.

concerned about

Implies worry and anxiety regarding a particular matter or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "upset about" in a sentence?

You can use "upset about" to express feelings of distress or displeasure regarding a specific situation. For example, "I'm really "upset about" the way the negotiations ended."

What are some alternatives to saying "upset about"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "angry about", "disappointed about", or "concerned about" to express similar feelings.

Is it better to say "upset about" or "upset at"?

"Upset about" is generally used to indicate the cause of your distress, while "upset at" is more commonly used to indicate the target of your anger or frustration. For example, "I'm upset about the situation" versus "I'm upset at him."

How formal is the phrase "upset about"?

"Upset about" is generally considered neutral in formality and suitable for both casual and professional communication. However, in highly formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives like "displeased with" or "dissatisfied with".