be sad with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be sad with" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express sharing sadness with someone, but it is not the most natural phrasing. Example: "I don't want you to be sad with me; I want to help you feel better."

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

To just sit in the sadness and to say, 'OK, I'll sit here and I'll be sad with you,' that's hard.

Huffington Post

I can be sad with them.

The Washington Post

Dying kids are reminded that they're surrounded by care, and parents see that it's O.K. to be sad with their children.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Blankfein, attending a conference in Chicago, told Andrew Ross Sorkin that Wall Street would be "happy" with the Federal Open Market Committee easing the program back by $10 billion, but would be "sad" with anything more.

The New York Times

Sometimes you need to be sad so someone else can be sad with you.

Huffington Post

"When I need to think about someone I love, or my people, I can be sad with Tinariwen". But Tinariwen is proving a slice of heaven for a growing number of listeners around the globe.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

There was a detail about him that I had overlooked on previous readings: a "vague, unfathomable emotion lurked secretly in his heart; he was sad with a sadness that had nothing noble in it.

The New Yorker

I'm sad with the result, but this was a huge  experience for our young team.

Independent

The mood suddenly changes: where everything else is precious and pretty, this is sad, with a kind of F. Scott Fitzgerald melancholy of parties past and rich lives gone wrong and empty.

The New York Times

Companion to "Just Say Goodbye Again". My Poor Heart is Sad With Its Dreaming.

Johns Hopkins University

Porto coach Vítor Pereira: "We are sad with the exit and we understand that the supporters are sad.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing shared sadness, consider using more common and natural phrasing such as "share sadness with" or "feel sadness alongside" for improved clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "be sad with" in formal writing. It may sound unnatural. Opt for more direct and widely accepted alternatives to ensure your writing is clear and easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be sad with" functions as a verb phrase where "be" acts as a copula linking the subject to the adjective "sad", followed by the preposition "with". While grammatically understandable, Ludwig AI indicates it's not the most natural phrasing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

16.666666666666668%

Formal & Business

16.666666666666668%

Less common in

Science

16.666666666666668%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be sad with" attempts to convey shared sadness or empathy but is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward, according to Ludwig AI. While grammatically understandable, alternatives like "share sadness with" or "feel sadness alongside" are generally preferred for clarity and naturalness. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, blogs, and some business communications. While understandable, consider alternative phrasings to ensure your writing is clear and well-received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

share sadness with

Replaces "be" with "share", emphasizing the act of sharing the emotion.

be sorrowful with

Substitutes "sad" with "sorrowful", adding a touch of formality.

feel sadness alongside

Uses "alongside" to convey experiencing sadness together.

experience sadness with

Emphasizes the shared experience of sadness.

empathize in sorrow

More formal, indicating a deep understanding and sharing of sorrow.

feel empathy for

Shifts the focus to feeling empathy towards someone's sadness.

commiserate in sadness

Suggests a shared feeling of sadness, often due to a common misfortune.

sympathize with sorrow

Highlights the act of sympathizing with someone's sadness.

grieve together

Focuses on the act of grieving as a shared experience.

suffer sadness together

Suggests jointly enduring a period of sadness or hardship.

FAQs

What does "be sad with" mean?

The phrase "be sad with" suggests sharing sadness or experiencing sadness in relation to someone or something. It implies a connection or empathy in feeling sad.

How can I use "be sad with" in a sentence?

While not the most common phrasing, you could say, "I don't want you to "be sad with" me; I want to help you feel better." Better alternatives include "share my sadness" or "feel sad alongside me."

What can I say instead of "be sad with"?

You can use alternatives like "share sadness with", "feel sadness alongside", or "empathize in sorrow" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be sad with" or "share sadness with"?

"Share sadness with" is generally preferred as it is more natural and grammatically sound. "Be sad with" is less common and might sound awkward to some.