a cloud of sadness

USAGE SUMMARY

Yes - 'a cloud of sadness' is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a general feeling of despair or sorrow. For example, "The young man looked out at the horizon, and as the sun set a cloud of sadness seemed to descend upon him".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In their hut, over a game of cards, Che feels "a cloud of sadness settle on them both, like bugs around a lamp".

The New York Times - Books

The sports world needed a day of nothing, of just an ordinary routine event, run under a cloud of sadness and anxiety and the now all-too-familiar flotilla of security cameras.

The New York Times - Sports

I have a cloud of sadness within me as I speak.

Huffington Post

And all of this was accomplished with virtually no time to plan or rehearse and with a cloud of sadness covering everyone's mood.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Regret is something all of us experience now and again, but in some people it tends to be a recurring theme bringing with it a dark cloud of sadness and angst.

Huffington Post

Reflecting on my Miami pilgrimage this year, my memories are overshadowed by a distinct dark cloud of sadness that followed me even from my arrival at the airport.

Vice

If you feel ashamed to be laughing, then Lonergan has got you exactly where he wants you — stirred and confounded, casting around for breaks in the cloud of sadness.

The New Yorker

A cloud of names?

The New Yorker

A cloud of us.

The Guardian - Books

A cloud of crème chantilly is "optional".

The New York Times

It collapsed in a cloud of dust.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cloud of sadness" to describe an overall, lingering feeling of unhappiness or sorrow that affects an individual or a situation. It's best used when the sadness isn't sharp or acute, but rather a pervasive sense of gloom.

Common error

Avoid using "a cloud of sadness" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your descriptions of sadness with more specific or concrete imagery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cloud of sadness" functions as a metaphorical noun phrase, acting as a subject or object to describe a pervasive feeling. Ludwig AI validates this usage, aligning with the examples provided where it modifies the overall mood or atmosphere.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a cloud of sadness" is a grammatically sound and metaphorically rich expression used to describe a lingering sense of sorrow. Though not particularly frequent, as noted by Ludwig, it finds its primary use in news and media contexts to evoke a specific emotional tone. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and serves to communicate feelings of melancholy. To avoid overuse, consider related alternatives such as ""a veil of sorrow"" or ""a shadow of despair"". Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of this phrase in written English, and emphasizes its descriptive purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a veil of sorrow

Uses 'veil' to suggest a covering of sadness rather than a pervasive cloud.

a wave of grief

Employs 'wave' to depict a sudden and overwhelming feeling of sadness.

a shadow of despair

Replaces 'cloud' with 'shadow', indicating a less intense but still present sadness.

a blanket of melancholy

Substitutes 'cloud' with 'blanket' to emphasize the encompassing nature of the sadness.

a dark mood

Uses a simpler expression to describe a state of unhappiness.

a heavy heart

Focuses on the physical sensation of sadness, implying emotional burden.

a pall of gloom

Replaces 'cloud' with 'pall', suggesting a darker, more oppressive atmosphere of sadness.

a sense of desolation

Focuses on the feeling of loneliness and emptiness associated with sadness.

a melancholic atmosphere

Shifts the focus to the environment or setting reflecting sadness.

an air of dejection

Emphasizes the visible manifestation of sadness in someone's demeanor.

FAQs

How can I use "a cloud of sadness" in a sentence?

You can use "a cloud of sadness" to describe a pervasive feeling of unhappiness. For example, "A cloud of sadness settled over the town after the factory closed".

What's a good alternative to "a cloud of sadness"?

Alternatives include "a veil of sorrow" or "a shadow of despair", which offer slightly different nuances of sorrow and gloom.

Is it appropriate to use "a cloud of sadness" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a cloud of sadness" is more common in narrative or descriptive writing. For formal contexts, consider more direct and less figurative language.

What does it mean when someone says there's "a cloud of sadness"?

It typically means there's a general feeling of sorrow or unhappiness affecting a person, place, or situation. It suggests that sadness is lingering and pervasive.