upset as much

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upset as much" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a comparison of levels of upset, but it lacks clarity and completeness. Example: "I was upset as much as he was when I heard the news."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

One said "things just roll off me better [after doing the body scan regularly] and I don't get upset as much.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If a friend has done something that has upset me, that upset is as much about me as it is them.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I see these things, they upset me as much as they upset you, and something needs to happen to change that," Inhofe said.

Huffington Post

It didn't upset me as much as I thought it would.

The Guardian

History has granted the upset almost as much significance as the Cuban missile crisis.

The New Yorker

His wife agreed that if Mugabe remained in power Zimbabwe was no place to raise children, but the prospect of leaving upset her as much as the thought of staying.

The New Yorker

The upset was as much of a shock for Democrats as the venomous campaign that preceded it in which Mr. Chambliss accused Mr. Cleland, a triple amputee, of not being committed to national security.

The New York Times

Most of its occupants, including Kesey, the "Chief Prankster", were high on drugs, and their humour and antics were meant to upset conservatives as much as to amuse others.

The Guardian

Later, he added, "I feel when he calms down a little about his game and doesn't let it upset him as much as it does, that he, too, is likely to have a win or two in major events".

The New York Times - Sports

He said the state most likely to gain entry was Lithuania, in part because it has the smallest Russian minority in its population and its membership would not upset Russia as much as the including Latvia, which has a larger Russian minority.

The New York Times

We call them externalities, not catastrophes, and these far greater harms persist, in large measure because they just don't upset us as much as catastrophes do.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express equal levels of distress, replace the phrase "upset as much" with clearer alternatives like "equally upset" or "just as upset" to ensure grammatical accuracy and readability.

Common error

Avoid using "upset as much" without completing the comparison. For instance, instead of saying "I was upset as much", specify what you are comparing to: "I was "just as upset" as he was."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upset as much" functions as part of a comparative construction, aiming to express that someone or something is experiencing a similar level of distress. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically incomplete without specifying what is being compared.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "upset as much" appears in various contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, it requires completion to form a coherent comparison. More suitable alternatives, such as "equally upset" or "just as upset", are recommended for clearer and more grammatically sound communication. Although examples exist, primarily in news and media sources, the overall usage leans towards informal contexts, and its infrequent occurrence highlights the importance of opting for more precise phrasing. Always aim for grammatical accuracy and clarity to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally upset

Replaces "as much" with "equally" to create a grammatically correct comparison.

just as upset

Uses "just as" to emphasize the degree of being upset is the same.

as upset

Shortened version focusing on the state of being upset.

similarly upset

Emphasizes the similarity in the emotional state.

to the same degree upset

Formal way of indicating an equivalent level of upset.

as distraught

Substitutes "upset" with a more intense synonym, "distraught", while keeping the comparison.

as bothered

Uses "bothered" as a softer alternative to "upset", implying a lesser degree of emotional distress.

as concerned

Replaces "upset" with "concerned", shifting the focus to worry or apprehension.

as agitated

Suggests a state of heightened unease or restlessness.

as troubled

Expresses a state of worry or distress, replacing the term 'upset'.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the idea of "upset as much" in a sentence?

The phrase "upset as much" is not grammatically correct in standard English. Instead, use phrases like "equally upset" or ""just as upset"" to express a similar level of distress.

What's a more formal way to say "upset as much"?

While "upset as much" isn't formal (and is generally incorrect), you could use "to the same degree upset" to convey a similar meaning in a more formal context, though it might still sound awkward.

Is there a slight difference in meaning between "equally upset" and "just as upset"?

Not really. "Equally upset" and ""just as upset"" are largely interchangeable and both convey the same idea of having the same level of upset or distress.

When is it acceptable to use "upset as much"?

It is generally not acceptable in formal or standard English writing. However, it might appear in informal speech or dialect, where grammatical rules are more relaxed. In such contexts, it still implies an incomplete comparison.