a profound sadness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a profound sadness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep and intense feeling of sorrow or melancholy. Example: "After hearing the news, she was enveloped in a profound sadness that lingered for days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

I also developed a profound sadness.

The New York Times

I felt a profound sadness that I was going to die.

The New York Times

One Clinton aide said Thursday: "There is a profound sadness" among the staff.

The New York Times

The confrontations between deceiver and deceived ranged from mystified to hostile, but mostly were undercut with a profound sadness.

The New York Times - Arts

Through all the brilliant contrivance and literary panache comes a profound sadness, looking with tenderness at peculiar humans.

The Guardian - Books

He confesses "a profound sadness" whenever he reads over "the material on which this study is based".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

At the sight of the man laboring beneath 200 pounds of rock, he momentarily forgot that they meant more useless work for himself as well, and only felt a sudden profound sadness at the ignorance and burden of all mankind.

Vice

Addie, a beautiful, fragile-looking woman who conveys a sense of profound sadness, says she had been involved with Crawley for a few years.

The New York Times - Magazine

That's really a lot of profound sadness.

The New York Times - Books

"It is a moment of profound sadness for us and we reach out to everyone who feels the loss".

Independent

"I am pulling out of a period of profound sadness," Mr. Duane said, recalling the deaths of dozens of friends, three of his closest in recent years.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a profound sadness" to convey a deep and lasting sense of sorrow, often resulting from significant loss or disappointment. Ensure the context supports the intensity of the emotion you are describing.

Common error

Avoid using "a profound sadness" excessively, as it can diminish its impact. Opt for more specific descriptions of emotions or situations to maintain the reader's engagement and understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a profound sadness" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it commonly acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a state of being or a reaction to an event. Examples include "A profound sadness enveloped me" and "There is a profound sadness."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a profound sadness" is a noun phrase used to express a deep and intense feeling of sorrow. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it’s important to ensure its usage aligns with the context to avoid diminishing its emotional impact. Consider alternatives like "deep sorrow" or "intense grief" for variations. This phrase serves to effectively convey significant emotional suffering.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep sorrow

Emphasizes the depth of the sadness, omitting the 'profound' aspect. It's a more concise expression of intense sadness.

intense grief

Focuses on the grief aspect, suggesting a sadness tied to loss. It highlights the emotional suffering experienced.

deep melancholy

Suggests a persistent and contemplative sadness. It conveys a more thoughtful and less acute emotional state.

heartfelt sorrow

Emphasizes the sincerity and genuineness of the sadness. It highlights the emotional connection and empathy involved.

great despair

Indicates a complete loss of hope, stronger than mere sadness. Suggests utter hopelessness and discouragement.

acute anguish

Focuses on the sharp and intense pain experienced. It highlights the immediate and agonizing nature of the emotional suffering.

overwhelming grief

Emphasizes the intensity and all-encompassing nature of the grief, feeling more powerful than regular grief.

abysmal sorrow

Highlights the extreme depth and bottomless nature of the sadness. Suggests an immeasurable and profound emotional pain.

palpable despair

Suggests that the feeling of despair is so intense it can almost be felt physically.

consuming grief

Indicates that the grief is taking over one's life and thoughts. It emphasizes the complete absorption in the emotional suffering.

FAQs

What does "a profound sadness" mean?

The phrase "a profound sadness" describes a deep, intense, and lasting feeling of sorrow or grief. It suggests a level of sadness that goes beyond everyday disappointment or unhappiness.

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

You can use "a profound sadness" to describe a state of being or a reaction to an event. For example: "A profound sadness enveloped me after hearing the news" or "The loss brought a profound sadness to her life."

What are some synonyms for "a profound sadness"?

Some synonyms for "a profound sadness" include "deep sorrow", "intense grief", "deep melancholy", and "heartfelt sorrow". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "a profound sadness"?

While grammatically correct, using "a profound sadness" might be inappropriate in contexts where a less intense emotion is more fitting. Ensure the situation warrants such a strong expression of sorrow. Overusing such phrases can also diminish their impact.