a sadness for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sadness for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of sorrow or regret regarding a specific person, situation, or event. Example: "There is a sadness for the lost opportunities that we can never reclaim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

What you can't do is have one festival club, you can't, and that's a sadness for us.

The Guardian

He finds, for example, a sadness for the vanished Catholic past lurking in the keen antiquarianism and the almost obsessive rediscovery of old modes of expression.

The Economist

"It is a sadness for them that they are so embittered and resentful, that they are constantly seeking to undermine and brief against me and so on".

Independent

There is a sadness for women who love Oasis, who live and breath for music, in having to work out how much you are willing to ignore in the name of fandom.

The Guardian - Music

A sadness for me in this (imagined) scenario would be the loss of my favourite Radio 2 show, Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie at 8pm, but from the BBC's point of view that is an expensive programme which it might be expedient to lose in the current economic climate.

The Guardian

There's a sadness for sure about the change in the community and the loss of homes.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This is a final sadness for a reader sifting through these many books.

The New York Times - Books

Inauthentic though Foer's creations may seem, they are suffused with a profound sadness for things lost, a yearning to reconstitute a shattered past, to retrieve the irretrievable, repair the irreparable, express the inexpressible.

The Guardian - Books

In an interview with Jonathon Gatehouse, he conceded, "You wouldn't be human if you didn't feel both a sense of responsibility and a deep sadness for those who have lost their lives.

Wikipedia

"It was put into effect by the Holy Father, and is a great sadness for him, you can imagine," a Vatican official said.

The New York Times

His loss is a great sadness for all of us".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sadness for" when you want to express a feeling of sorrow or regret towards a specific person, event, or situation. Ensure the context clearly identifies what or whom the sadness is directed towards.

Common error

Avoid vague statements where the cause of the sadness is unclear. Always ensure the object or reason for the "sadness" is explicitly stated to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sadness for" functions as a noun phrase acting as an object of preposition or expressing a feeling directed towards a specific entity. As seen in Ludwig, it clearly conveys emotion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Huffington Post

5%

Less common in

The New Yorker

1%

BBC

1%

The Guardian

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sadness for" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that expresses feelings of sorrow or regret directed towards a specific cause. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Although not as common as other expressions of sadness, it is frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the cause of the sadness is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "a feeling of sorrow for" or "a sense of regret for" can be used depending on the desired nuance. While versatile, it’s important to consider the specific context to make sure that it fits in with the rest of your text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a feeling of sorrow for

Replaces "sadness" with "sorrow", emphasizing a deeper emotional pain.

a sense of regret for

Shifts the focus to feeling sorry about something that has happened or been done.

a pang of grief for

Highlights a sharp, sudden feeling of loss or bereavement.

a wave of melancholy for

Emphasizes a more prolonged and contemplative sadness.

empathy for

Focuses on understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

compassion for

Highlights a feeling of pity and concern for someone suffering.

pity for

Conveys a feeling of sorrow and sympathy for the misfortune of someone or something.

sorrow regarding

Expresses sadness in relation to a specific topic or situation.

regret concerning

Focuses on feelings of remorse about something.

lamenting the loss of

Highlights the expression of grief or sorrow over something that is gone.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sadness for" to express sorrow or regret towards someone or something. For example, "There is "a sadness for" the lost opportunities that we can never reclaim".

What phrases are similar to "a sadness for"?

Similar phrases include "a feeling of sorrow for", "a sense of regret for", or simply "empathy for", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a sadness for" or should I use another preposition?

"A sadness for" is a grammatically correct phrase. Other prepositions, such as "about" or "over", can be used, but they may subtly alter the meaning. "A sadness for" is typically used for more specific or personal connections.

Can "a sadness for" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "a sadness for" can be used in formal writing, particularly when expressing condolences or reflecting on a loss. However, consider the tone and context to ensure it fits appropriately with the overall formality of the piece.