a shadow of despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shadow of despair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of deep sadness or hopelessness that looms over someone or something. Example: "After hearing the news, a shadow of despair settled over the entire community, leaving everyone in a state of mourning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A smear of grey, a whiff of sorrow, a shadow of despair.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Especially in our troubled world, with so much darkened by the shadow of despair, hope can seem elusive.

Huffington Post

It is a shadow of itself.

The New Yorker

"Without a shadow of a doubt.

BBC

Without a shadow of doubt.

BMC Nursing

Hence, there is a need to create a legal path to 12 million residents enabling them to come out of the shadows of despair and allow them to continue contributing to the American economic pie in a fair and just way that's benefits all.

Huffington Post

Those who would deny any young person the opportunity to learn and find a purpose in life have already lost their own dream and are unconsciously contributing to the shadows of despair.

Huffington Post

The whole land seemed a-wailing, and suddenly there swept a shadow across that furnace of despair, and a breath of cold wind, and a gathering of clouds, out of the cooling air.

The Guardian

As elders performed traditional dances yesterday in the shadow of Uluru and boys showed off their spear-throwing skills, he recited a litany of despair: people living 30 to a house, girls sniffing petrol in a quest for oblivion, children leaving school without numeracy and literacy skills, men hanging themselves.

Independent

Readers of Thomas Bernhard will recognize a familiar vaudeville of despair, whereby every possibility is shadowed by its negation, and nothing can ever be completed, because it is always being ceaselessly re-started.

The New Yorker

That is arguably a counsel of despair.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a shadow of despair" to describe situations or emotions where a sense of hopelessness subtly undermines positive feelings or future prospects. For example, "Even their wedding day was lived under a shadow of despair, due to the groom's terminal illness."

Common error

Avoid using "a shadow of despair" in contexts where a literal shadow is meant. This phrase refers to an emotional state and should not be used to describe physical darkness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shadow of despair" functions as a noun phrase used to describe an atmosphere or feeling of hopelessness and deep sadness. It adds a layer of metaphorical depth, suggesting that the despair is not just present, but also looming and influential.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a shadow of despair" is a grammatically sound and evocative way to describe a looming sense of hopelessness. According to Ludwig, it effectively conveys a deep sadness that darkens a situation or someone's outlook. Found mostly in News & Media and Science contexts, its frequency is rare, but its impact is significant. When writing, ensure it's used to describe emotional states rather than literal shadows. Alternatives like "a veil of sorrow" or "under a cloud of despair" offer similar, yet nuanced, ways to express this pervasive feeling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under a cloud of despair

Similar metaphor, but uses "cloud" instead of "shadow", implying a less defined, more diffused feeling.

a deep-seated feeling of despair

Highlights the depth and entrenchment of the despair.

a veil of sorrow

Focuses more on the sadness itself, rather than the looming or overshadowing aspect.

an aura of hopelessness

Emphasizes a pervasive sense of lacking hope, similar in overall impact.

the depths of despondency

Focuses on the state of being deeply discouraged and hopeless.

a pall of gloom

Uses a different metaphor (pall instead of shadow) to convey a heavy, oppressive feeling.

a sense of profound sadness

Directly states the feeling of sadness, lacking the metaphorical depth.

overwhelmed by sorrow

Highlights the feeling of being completely overcome by sadness.

gripped by hopelessness

Emphasizes the feeling of being seized or controlled by a lack of hope.

consumed by anguish

Focuses more on the intense mental or physical suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "a shadow of despair" in a sentence?

Use "a shadow of despair" to describe a pervasive feeling of sadness or hopelessness that affects a situation or a person's outlook. For example, "A shadow of despair hung over the town after the factory closed."

What's the difference between "a shadow of despair" and "a sense of sadness"?

"A shadow of despair" implies a more prolonged and pervasive feeling of hopelessness, whereas "a sense of sadness" might be more fleeting or specific to a particular event.

What are some alternatives to "a shadow of despair"?

Alternatives include "a veil of sorrow", "an aura of hopelessness", or "under a cloud of despair", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a shadow of despair" a formal or informal expression?

"A shadow of despair" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it's more common in literary or descriptive contexts than in casual conversation.