arouse sorrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arouse sorrow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that evokes feelings of sadness or grief in someone. Example: "The film's tragic ending was designed to arouse sorrow in the audience, leaving them in deep reflection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The challenge facing the new musical "The Scottsboro Boys," which dares to present ugly American history as bawdy burlesque, is to keep audiences dancing nimbly between the two states of feeling, enticing us to cackle knowingly at the plague of racism at one moment, and arousing sorrow and sympathy for its victims the next.

The New York Times

The emotions that "Bhutto" arouses — admiration, anger, sorrow — are blunted by a perhaps inevitable frustration.

The New York Times

Even the show's centrepiece, The Charnel House, apparently based on footage of a Spanish republican family murdered in the kitchen, is unlikely to arouse horror or sorrow.

The Guardian - Arts

"Blood and deaths," said Racine, are not necessary, for "it is enough that the action be grand, that the actors be heroic, that the passions be aroused" to produce "that stately sorrow that makes the whole pleasure of tragedy" (preface to Bérénice).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the former, Schoenberg used an intricate sequence of poems by Stefan George that seem to trace the progressively intimate encounters of two youths in a magical garden; for the latter, Berg employed deceptively simple texts by the decadent café poet Peter Altenberg, which arouse images of "measureless sorrow," "summer rainstorms," and "the brink of beyond".

The New Yorker

"All that sorrow".

The New Yorker

"The Cure for Sorrow".

The New Yorker

A sound of sorrow.

The New York Times

Pain, because sorrow.

The Washington Post

There may be sorrows, but not that sorrow.

The New Yorker

The atmosphere is so loaded with sorrow.

BMC Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "arouse sorrow" when you want to convey that something triggers a deep, often latent, feeling of sadness, rather than simply causing immediate unhappiness. For instance, a historical account might "arouse sorrow" for past injustices.

Common error

Avoid using "arouse sorrow" in everyday conversation. It's more appropriate for formal writing or when describing profound emotional experiences. In casual contexts, simpler phrases like "cause sadness" or "make someone sad" are more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arouse sorrow" functions as a verb phrase + noun, where 'arouse' acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object ('sorrow'). As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "arouse sorrow" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of invoking a deep feeling of sadness or grief. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a valid and usable phrase in English writing. While not particularly common, its usage is most prevalent in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts. When aiming for precision in conveying profound emotional responses, consider using "arouse sorrow". However, simpler phrases like "cause sadness" might be more suitable for casual conversation. Alternative phrases such as "evoke sadness" or "stir up grief" offer similar nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke sadness

Focuses on the act of bringing forth sadness, simplifying the original phrase.

stir up grief

Emphasizes the agitation and intensity of the grief being caused.

instill sadness

Highlights the process of planting or introducing sadness.

provoke grief

Stresses the cause-and-effect relationship between the action and the resulting grief.

generate sorrow

Focuses on creating or producing sorrow as a result.

elicit sorrow

Emphasizes drawing forth sorrow as a response.

kindle grief

Uses a metaphor of lighting a fire to represent the start of grief.

incite sadness

Suggests a more forceful or active stirring of sadness.

inspire sorrow

Highlights the influence that leads to feelings of sorrow.

induce grief

Focuses on the act of persuading or causing grief.

FAQs

How can I use "arouse sorrow" in a sentence?

You can use "arouse sorrow" to describe something that evokes a deep sense of sadness. For example, "The film's tragic ending was designed to "arouse sorrow" in the audience."

What are some alternatives to "arouse sorrow"?

You can use alternatives like "evoke sadness", "stir up grief", or "instill sadness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "arouse sorrow" a formal or informal expression?

"Arouse sorrow" leans towards a more formal register. In informal contexts, simpler phrases might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "arouse sorrow" and "cause sadness"?

"Arouse sorrow" suggests a deeper, perhaps more reflective, feeling of sadness that is stirred up from within, whereas "cause sadness" implies a more direct and immediate effect.