and desperately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and desperately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to convey a sense of urgency or intense need in various contexts, often to emphasize the emotional state of a subject. Example: "She searched for her lost dog and desperately called out its name, hoping it would return."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Last week, one Drusilla Long had a letter in a newspaper about desperate and desperately unwanted migrants.

Independent

Increasingly (and desperately), they're casinos.

The New Yorker

He was almost starving and desperately ill.

Independent

Old hat and desperately ubiquitous.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It is definitely and desperately needed".

The New York Times

Foxcatcher is thrilling, disturbing and desperately sad.

The Guardian - Film

It's desperately hard and desperately beautiful.

The Guardian - Travel

It was virulently anti-French and desperately pro-American.

The New Yorker

I think the work is antiheroic and desperately funny.

The New Yorker

These are all good, and desperately needed, reforms.

The New York Times

He's hollow, and desperately wishes that he weren't.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and desperately" to add emotional weight or urgency to a description. For example, "The team fought bravely and desperately to defend their title."

Common error

Avoid using "and desperately" excessively in formal or professional contexts, as it can sometimes sound overly dramatic. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "and urgently" or "and with great effort".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and desperately" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to intensify the action or state being described. As Ludwig AI shows, it connects two descriptors while amplifying the sense of urgency or intensity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "and desperately" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to intensify an action or state, primarily in News & Media. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, albeit with considerations for formality. While generally neutral, it is important to assess whether the use of "and desperately" matches your desired tone and register. Alternatives such as "and urgently" or "and intensely" may suit formal writing better. This analysis helps ensure effective and context-aware communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and urgently

Replaces "desperately" with a synonym emphasizing immediate action.

and intensely

Focuses on the high degree of feeling or effort involved.

and frantically

Highlights a sense of hurried, disordered action due to fear or anxiety.

and keenly

Emphasizes a strong or eager desire.

and earnestly

Conveys a sincere and serious effort.

and exceedingly

Indicates a great degree or extent.

and acutely

Stresses the sharpness or severity of a feeling or situation.

and severely

Highlights the seriousness or gravity of the situation.

and passionately

Emphasizes strong emotion or enthusiasm.

and zealously

Implies great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of something.

FAQs

How can I use "and desperately" in a sentence?

The phrase "and desperately" is used to add emphasis or convey a sense of urgency. For example, "She searched the crowd "and desperately" hoped to find her missing child."

What are some alternatives to "and desperately"?

Alternatives include "and urgently", "and intensely", or "and frantically", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "and desperately" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "and desperately" may sound overly dramatic in some formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "and earnestly" or "and keenly" for a more professional tone.

What is the difference between "and desperately" and "and urgently"?

"And desperately" implies a sense of hopelessness or extreme need, whereas "and urgently" simply conveys the need for immediate action without necessarily implying despair.