absolutely sad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely sad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a strong feeling of sadness or disappointment about a situation or event. Example: "The news of the disaster was absolutely sad, leaving everyone in shock and mourning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Absolutely sad," said O'Shea.

The Guardian - Sport

"She lived an absolutely sad and tragic life".

The New York Times

"They are absolutely sad that the country is being bombed," he said.

The New York Times

It is absolutely sad and a black eye and absolutely hurts the image of the N.B.A. big time".

The New York Times - Sports

"When I saw the offices at heavy industry and banks, they were absolutely sad, boring," he recalled.

The New York Times

But as we neared the end of our journey, he said, he was "absolutely sad as a person," because he realized that a gulf divided them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

To transform a TV series into a film is to surround yourself with pitfalls, and "Absolutely Fabulous," sad to report, nosedives into every one of them.

The New Yorker

Terry Keane wrote on Twitter: "So sad absolutely gutted that such a nice bloke has  been taken so cruelly, my thoughts are with his Daughter & Family".

Independent

If you are already living out in the middle of nowhere – say, Nebraska – and you are absolutely miserable and sad and wished you were dead, the terrible truth is: watching a glum, meandering, condescending film like Nebraska – a Diane Arbus photograph come to life – won't cheer you up.

The Guardian - Film

He returned to record a new voiceover for Sunday's final show – unpaid and under his old contract – and Hammond and May filmed new links but without a studio audience, a process Wilman described as "very sad, absolutely awful to make".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"You've got this point where you're going through and it's shredding your nerves, and then suddenly it erupts … and you know you've got nowhere to go if you've taken the player up and up and up … you just drop it and make something that's absolutely still and sad and beautiful.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, follow "absolutely sad" with a specific reason or explanation. For example, "The news was absolutely sad, especially considering all the efforts made."

Common error

While "absolutely sad" is grammatically correct, overusing it, especially in casual conversation, can sound insincere. Consider more nuanced expressions for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely sad" functions as an intensifier (absolutely) modifying an adjective (sad). It serves to emphasize the degree or intensity of sadness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absolutely sad" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for emphasizing sadness. Ludwig AI supports this analysis. While not the most common phrase, it appears frequently in news and media contexts. It's important to consider context when using the phrase to ensure it aligns with the desired tone and doesn't come off as insincere. Alternatives such as "utterly heartbreaking" or "truly sorrowful" can offer different nuances depending on the specific situation. When writing, avoid overuse, especially in casual settings. While grammatically sound, "absolutely sad" is more suited for emphasizing grief in serious situations than everyday sadness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly heartbreaking

Emphasizes the profound emotional pain caused by something sad, focusing on the heart as the center of emotion. It's often used when the sadness is deeply moving or distressing.

completely devastated

Focuses on the feeling of being overwhelmed and emotionally shattered by a sad event. It implies a strong negative impact on one's emotional state.

truly sorrowful

Highlights the depth and sincerity of the sadness. "Sorrowful" suggests a more prolonged and reflective state of sadness compared to "sad".

deeply regrettable

Emphasizes the feeling of wishing something hadn't happened due to its sad consequences. It focuses on the aspect of remorse and loss.

incredibly unfortunate

Highlights the element of bad luck or circumstance contributing to the sadness. It's often used when the situation could have been avoided.

exceptionally tragic

Focuses on the severity and gravity of the sad event, often implying loss of life or significant suffering. It's used for events of great sorrow and impact.

downright depressing

Emphasizes the impact on mood and emotional state, suggesting that the situation is causing a significant feeling of sadness and hopelessness.

thoroughly disheartening

Focuses on the loss of hope and encouragement caused by the sad event. It suggests that one's spirits have been significantly dampened.

awfully disappointing

Highlights the feeling of unmet expectations and frustration caused by the sad situation. It's often used when something failed to live up to its potential.

plain unfortunate

Simple way of emphasizing a lack of good fortune and a feeling of sadness

FAQs

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

You can use "absolutely sad" to emphasize the feeling of sadness about something. For example, "It is absolutely sad that so many people are suffering." or "The ending of the movie was absolutely sad."

What phrases are similar to "absolutely sad"?

Similar phrases include "utterly heartbreaking", "completely devastated", or "truly sorrowful", depending on the context and intensity you want to convey.

Is "absolutely sad" too strong for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "absolutely sad" can sound overly dramatic in casual contexts. Consider using milder alternatives like "very sad" or "really sad" for everyday conversations.

Can "absolutely sad" be used to describe objects or situations?

Yes, "absolutely sad" can describe both people's feelings and external situations or objects that evoke sadness. For example, "The dilapidated house was an absolutely sad sight".