a deep sadness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a deep sadness' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it anytime you want to describe a strong feeling of sadness. For example: "After the death of his mother, John felt a deep sadness that he could not shake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's a deep sadness about him.

The Guardian - Film

These days, Haley projects calm, but also a deep sadness.

The Washington Post

Peaches lived with a deep sadness from childhood".

The Guardian

I felt a deep sadness, even as I laughed.

The Guardian - Books

For us it was surprisingly easy to see Jo, but there was a deep sadness.

Independent

It's that surface sprinkling of gags hiding a deep sadness with how life has turned out.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There is a deep sadness in his eyes, even when he smiles.

The Guardian

Clouds showcased that juxtaposition: its uplifting tone is undercut by a deep sadness.

The Guardian - Music

Clara looks at his hand and then at his face, with a deep sadness, almost exhaustion.

The New Yorker

When he lost the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, many of us felt a deep sadness.

The New York Times

"Rather than making fun, I think Leporello feels a deep sadness.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "a deep sadness", ensure the context provides sufficient emotional weight to justify the intensity. Overusing it can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a deep sadness" for trivial matters. Reserve this phrase for situations involving significant loss, grief, or profound disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a deep sadness" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in describing personal feelings and reactions to events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a deep sadness" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to express a profound and internalized feeling of sorrow. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for general use. It often appears in news and media contexts, as well as in academic and literary works, indicating a relatively formal register. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context and ensure the level of sadness described aligns with the situation. While many alternatives exist, such as "profound sorrow" or "intense grief", each carries slightly different connotations. Remember to reserve "a deep sadness" for occasions that truly warrant the intensity it conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep sorrow

Synonymous with "a deep sadness" but with slightly different phrasing.

profound sorrow

Uses a stronger adjective to emphasize the intensity of sadness.

unfathomable sorrow

Indicates that the sorrow is so deep it is hard to measure it.

intense grief

Replaces "sadness" with "grief", suggesting a more acute and overwhelming feeling.

deep-seated grief

Indicates that the grief is deeply rooted and long-lasting.

overwhelming despair

Focuses on the hopelessness aspect of deep sadness.

lingering melancholy

Highlights the long duration of the sadness, implying it persists over time.

profound melancholy

Emphasizes the reflective and pensive nature of the sadness.

intense anguish

Highlights the mental or physical suffering associated with the sadness.

heavy-heartedness

Expresses sadness through a feeling of emotional weight or burden.

FAQs

How can I use "a deep sadness" in a sentence?

The phrase "a deep sadness" is typically used to describe a profound feeling of sorrow or grief. For example, "A deep sadness descends upon learning of a tragedy" or "He carried "a deep sadness within" after the loss of his loved one".

What are some alternatives to "a deep sadness"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "profound sorrow", "intense grief", or "deep sorrow" to convey similar meanings. Each option emphasizes slightly different aspects of the emotion.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a deep sadness"?

Yes, "a deep sadness" is grammatically correct. It functions as a noun phrase, with "deep" serving as an adjective modifying the noun "sadness".

What's the difference between "a deep sadness" and "a great sadness"?

While both phrases indicate a significant level of sorrow, "a deep sadness" suggests a more profound and internalized feeling, whereas "a great sadness" might imply a more outwardly expressed or widely shared sorrow.