very much distressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very much distressing" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used to emphasize the level of distress caused by a situation, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The news of the disaster was very much distressing to the entire community."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Each item is rated on a five-point Likert scale from 0 (not at all distressing) to 5 (very much distressing), indicating how much the patient suffers subjectively from these illness aspects.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I very much recognise and respect that the visual depiction of the Prophet Muhammad is regarded as deeply offensive and distressing to you and many other Muslims in the UK and beyond," Clegg wrote.

Huffington Post

"Very, very much.

The New Yorker

Thank you very, very much".

Independent

"Well, thanks very much.

Independent

Very much farther.

The New Yorker

Nobody expected very much.

The New York Times

Probably not very much.

The Economist

Oh, very much.

The New Yorker

It hurts very much".

The New York Times

Very much like this.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "very much distressing", provide context to clarify the specific cause and nature of the distress.

Common error

While "very much" can add emphasis, overuse can weaken your writing. Vary your language by using different intensifiers or rephrasing the sentence to avoid relying on "very much" repeatedly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very much distressing" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that causes a significant level of emotional or psychological upset. Ludwig shows that while grammatically sound, it's not as commonly used as other alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, the phrase "very much distressing" is not the most common way to express that something causes a significant level of emotional or psychological distress. Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples indicates that more common alternatives like "extremely distressing" or "deeply troubling" are generally preferred and considered more impactful. Despite its presence in some sources, the phrase's infrequent use suggests that writers should opt for stronger, more familiar adjectives to ensure clarity and effectiveness in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extremely distressing

This alternative intensifies the degree of distress.

Deeply troubling

This alternative uses a different adjective to convey a strong sense of worry and concern.

Highly upsetting

This alternative focuses on the emotional impact of causing someone to feel upset.

Seriously concerning

This alternative highlights the gravity and potential consequences of the distress.

Gravely disturbing

This alternative implies a profound and unsettling effect.

Profoundly upsetting

This alternative emphasizes the depth and intensity of the upsetting experience.

Intensely painful

This alternative focuses on the emotional or psychological pain caused.

A source of great distress

This alternative rephrases the concept as a cause of significant emotional suffering.

A cause for considerable alarm

This alternative emphasizes the alarming nature of the situation or event.

A major source of anguish

This alternative highlights the deep suffering and torment experienced.

FAQs

What does "very much distressing" mean?

The phrase "very much distressing" indicates that something causes a significant level of emotional or psychological distress. While understandable, it's not the most common way to express this idea.

What are some alternatives to "very much distressing"?

You can use alternatives such as "extremely distressing", "deeply troubling", or "highly upsetting". These alternatives are more commonly used and can add impact to your writing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "very much distressing"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, but it is not as commonly used as other alternatives and may sound somewhat awkward to native English speakers. Therefore, it's acceptable but not ideal.

How can I use "very much distressing" in a sentence?

While grammatically sound, consider using more conventional phrases. For example, instead of "The situation was very much distressing", try "The situation was "extremely distressing"" or "The situation was "deeply troubling"".