a sad ending

USAGE SUMMARY

"a sad ending" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a conclusion that does not have a happy, positive outcome. For example, "The once happy couple ultimately ended their relationship with a sad ending."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not a sad ending.

The Guardian - Film

Would a sad ending be better?

The New York Times - Arts

The story has a sad ending.

Nature

Unfortunately the story has a sad ending.

The Guardian - Travel

Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" — even though the love goes sour and the book has a sad ending.

The New York Times - Books

Gwen's pictures leave you with the impression of a story told - a story with a sad ending.

The Guardian - Arts

But after tiles depicting rain and stars and "our house," which looks like a bright, curvy castle, comes a sad ending.

The New Yorker

Once in a book called Kiss, and the other time with My Sister Jodie, the only one of my books with a sad ending.

The Guardian

With bundles of ice around his right shoulder and right quadriceps, Jeter patiently answered questions about a day with a happy beginning and a sad ending.

The New York Times - Sports

The story had a sad ending.

Pastoralism

That story has a sad ending.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sad ending" to describe the conclusion of a story, event, or situation that evokes feelings of sorrow, disappointment, or regret. Ensure the context clearly establishes what is concluding and why it is considered sad.

Common error

Avoid using "a sad ending" when the situation warrants a stronger term like "tragic" or "catastrophic". "Sad" implies a milder form of sorrow, so ensure it accurately reflects the intensity of the negative outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sad ending" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It describes the characteristic of a conclusion or outcome, indicating it evokes sadness. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in expressing unfavorable or regrettable conclusions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sad ending" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes a conclusion evoking feelings of sorrow or disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the emotional intensity and the appropriateness for formal settings. Related phrases like "an unhappy conclusion" or "a tragic finale" can offer nuanced alternatives. Remember to use "a sad ending" when you want to convey a sense of loss or regret associated with a final outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unhappy conclusion

This alternative focuses on the lack of happiness as the primary attribute of the ending.

a tragic finale

This alternative implies a more dramatic and unfortunate end.

a regrettable outcome

This suggests the ending is something to be sorry about or lament.

a disappointing resolution

This alternative highlights the failure to meet expectations.

a sorrowful close

This phrase emphasizes the feeling of sorrow associated with the end.

a bleak culmination

This suggests a hopeless or depressing final point.

a depressing finish

This focuses on the feeling of depression or sadness that the ending brings.

an unfortunate result

This highlights the bad luck or unfavorable circumstances leading to the end.

a calamitous wrap-up

This implies a disastrous or catastrophic ending.

a cheerless denouement

This describes an unemotional and often disappointing resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "a sad ending" in a sentence?

You can use "a sad ending" to describe various scenarios. For example, "The movie had "a sad ending" that left the audience in tears" or "Despite their best efforts, the project came to "a sad ending" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "a sad ending"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "an unhappy conclusion", "a tragic finale", or "a disappointing resolution".

Is it always appropriate to use "a sad ending" in formal writing?

While "a sad ending" is generally acceptable, consider the tone and audience. In very formal or academic contexts, a more precise term like "a regrettable outcome" or "an unfortunate conclusion" might be more suitable.

What makes an ending "sad" rather than simply "bad"?

A "sad ending" typically evokes feelings of sorrow or grief, often due to loss or disappointment. A "bad ending", on the other hand, might refer to an outcome that is simply undesirable or unsuccessful without necessarily causing emotional distress.