0
Angliholic Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Very distressful/distressing news

That is a very distressful/distressing news, and I am certainly sorry to hear it.

Hi,

Do both distressful and distressing fit in the above and mean about the same to you? Thanks.
  

Top answer

First, news is uncountable. Second, either adjective will work. Distressing is more usual, I think-- at least, I am more comfortable with it.

— Mister Micawber

  • First, news is uncountable.
  • Second, either adjective will work.
  • Distressing is more usual, I think-- at least, I am more comfortable with it.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

7 Answers
0
.
First, news is uncountable.

Second, either adjective will work. Distressing is more usual, I think-- at least, I am more comfortable with it.
.
0
0
Distressful sounds bad to me, almost as if it isn't really a word.
0
0
I second Philip's comment.

CJ
0
0
.
It has a definite [url=http://www.onelook.com/?w=Distressful&ls=a]EXISTENCE[/url], but is certainly not so popular:

197,000 for "Distressful"
3,540,000 for "Distressing"

Perhaps because it interferes with the very popular 'stressful'.
.
0
0
.
PS: It just occurred to me why I am familiar with the word:

I met with Napper Tandy, and he took me by the hand
And he said, "How's poor old Ireland, and how does she stand?"
"She's the most distressful country that ever yet was seen
For they're hanging men and women there for the Wearin' o' the Green."
.
0
0
Aha! distressful - full of distress; not distressing - tending to cause distress.

But who the heck is/was Napper Tandy? Emotion: smile
0

Related Questions