I despair for

USAGE SUMMARY

"I despair for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express your feelings of hopelessness about a situation, particularly one that you perceive as being dire or beyond your control. For example: "I despair for the future of our planet if we don't wake up to the reality of climate change soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

While I wish you well, I despair for us all when I see liberals drifting right.

The New Yorker

As a Roman Catholic, I despair for a court that has so obviously passed judgment on itself.

The New York Times

Modern males ("I despair for my daughters' futures as regards to men"), the courts ("ridiculously lenient punishments") … You know what?

The Guardian

I despair for a country that I see becoming more isolationist, more out of step with the rest of the industrialized world and more removed from what I once thought were our high moral standards.

The New York Times

She believes that Vetements, as with other logo players, aren't being critical of the fashion system – they're too busy making their way in it: "I despair for the fashion economy today.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I despair for my South African friends, and for their remarkable country, for having to face yet another crisis in the long walk from the evils of the apartheid era.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I despaired for a moment, and then turned it into a layered trifle-like parfait.

The New York Times

In my dream, I despaired for Elian and all those kids, for they had endured something that would really scar them for life.

The New York Times

I despaired for long enough to find out that when people tell you it might be time to get over it, what they mean is that they are over talking about it with you.

Huffington Post

This is his home state, and he must build on the paltry six of 29 federal Queensland seats the Labor Party now holds if he wants to become prime minister.My fight is delayed by 90 minutes out of Sydney; I despair of arriving in time for Mr Howard's lunchtime launch at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

The Economist

I generally despair for the future of my children and future generations in the UK.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I despair for", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for your despair, making the statement impactful and understandable.

Common error

Avoid using "I despair for" in trivial or everyday situations; reserve it for matters of significant concern. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I despair for" functions as a declarative statement expressing the speaker's feelings of hopelessness or deep concern regarding a particular subject. This aligns with the examples Ludwig provides, where it's used in contexts of societal or global issues.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I despair for" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey a profound sense of hopelessness or concern. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for expressing negative feelings about a situation, particularly those perceived as dire. While "I despair for" isn't overly common, the reliable sources where it appears—such as The New York Times and The Guardian—demonstrate its appropriateness in neutral and somewhat formal contexts, particularly within news and media. Remember to reserve it for situations where genuine concern is warranted to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I worry about

Expresses concern rather than complete despair.

I am concerned for

More formal and expresses concern about someone or something.

I fear for

Focuses on fear of negative outcomes.

I am losing hope for

Highlights a gradual decrease in hope.

I have little hope for

Emphasizes the lack of optimism.

I am pessimistic about

Focuses on a negative outlook.

My hopes are dwindling for

Implies diminishing expectations.

I am anxious about

Focuses on worry and unease.

I see a bleak future for

Directly expresses a negative forecast.

I have grave concerns about

Highlights serious concerns.

FAQs

How do you use "I despair for" in a sentence?

Use "I despair for" to express a strong feeling of hopelessness or concern about something significant. For example, "I despair for the future of the planet if we don't address climate change".

What's the difference between "I despair for" and "I worry about"?

"I despair for" expresses a deeper sense of hopelessness than "I worry about". While both indicate concern, "I despair for" suggests a belief that the situation is dire or beyond easy resolution. You can use alternatives like "I worry about" depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "I despair for"?

Alternatives to "I despair for" include phrases like "I fear for", "I am concerned for", or "I have grave concerns about". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "I despair for" considered formal or informal?

"I despair for" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but its intensity makes it more common in serious discussions about significant issues rather than casual conversation.