bittersweet sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bittersweet sense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling that is both happy and sad at the same time, often in relation to memories or experiences. Example: "As she looked through the old photographs, she felt a bittersweet sense of nostalgia for her childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

As sage, I stood and observed with a comforting yet bittersweet sense of posterity.

The New Yorker

It has left the scientists who detected THG with a bittersweet sense of enormous accomplishment and dread.

The New York Times

Equally important, fabric pattern, often derived from natural forms, embodied existential ideas and emotions: the longing for love in winter, the bittersweet sense of transience in autumn.

The New York Times - Arts

Those who remained gathered and announced the news amid packing crates, empty offices, obsolete equipment and a bittersweet sense of nostalgia.

The New York Times

In spite of herself, Marjane finds a gravitational pull to a homeland that rejects free-thinking women: a complicated, bittersweet sense of exile which Satrapi has cultivated in her graphic novels and in this richly seductive and entertaining movie.

The Guardian - Film

The history shared by these characters becomes so long and fraught and tangled over the course of his hundreds of pages and years (thanks to genetic longevity treatments, Robinson's able to keep the same ensemble of characters around for centuries) that it gives me a pang of longing and nostalgia and bittersweet sense of life's length and brevity.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"It is bittersweet in the sense that we have to do it," said Patrick White, the group's vice president, "but good in the sense that we have the land and are able to do it now".

The New York Times

"It was really bittersweet in the sense that I was hoping to play Cuba and beat Cuba for a gold medal, and we never even got to the game," Dickey said here Thursday, a day before his start at the World Baseball Classic.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think it's bittersweet in the sense that it was the toughest route, the toughest challenge, in the six championships we have won," Jordan said.

Los Angeles Times

At the heart of While We're Young, says Baumbach, is a sense of bittersweet resignation.

The Guardian - Film

And for those who know the tale, this gravity-defying, wondrous landscape retains a sense of bittersweet beauty, a faultless paradise somehow infused with lost love.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bittersweet sense" when you want to convey a feeling that is both happy and sad, often related to memories, endings, or significant life changes. Consider the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the overall tone.

Common error

Avoid using "bittersweet sense" in situations where the emotional complexity is not genuinely present. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound overly sentimental or cliché. Instead, consider using simpler, more direct language if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bittersweet sense" functions as a noun phrase, where 'bittersweet' acts as an adjective modifying 'sense'. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe a feeling or emotion that combines elements of both happiness and sadness, often related to nostalgia or loss.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bittersweet sense" describes a complex emotion blending happiness and sadness, often related to memories or significant life changes. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, although it's relatively uncommon. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase effectively conveys nuanced feelings. While versatile, avoid overuse in overly sentimental contexts. Alternatives such as "mixed feelings" or "poignant feeling" may be more appropriate depending on the context. The sources examined are high quality and demonstrate consistent usage of the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bittersweet emotion

Synonymous, simply replaces "sense" with "emotion".

mixed feelings

More general term referring to positive and negative emotions experienced at the same time.

poignant feeling

Focuses on the emotional impact, particularly sadness or regret intertwined with affection or nostalgia.

sweet sorrow

A poetic expression that encapsulates the simultaneous experience of joy and grief.

melancholy feeling

Emphasizes the sadness and pensiveness associated with the feeling.

nostalgic feeling

Highlights the longing for the past, often mixed with happiness and sadness.

conflicted feelings

Highlights the internal struggle and opposing emotions.

complex emotion

Broader term that emphasizes the intricate and layered nature of the emotional experience.

ambivalent feeling

Highlights the contradictory nature of the feeling, where there is attraction and repulsion at the same time.

tinge of sadness

Focuses on the sadness component.

FAQs

How can I use "bittersweet sense" in a sentence?

You can use "bittersweet sense" to describe a feeling that combines happiness and sadness, often related to memories or significant events. For example, "She felt a "bittersweet sense" of nostalgia as she looked through old photographs."

What's a good alternative to "bittersweet sense"?

Alternatives include "mixed feelings", "poignant feeling", or "melancholy feeling", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "bittersweet sense" formal or informal?

"Bittersweet sense" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in descriptive writing or narratives. More formal alternatives might include "complex emotion" or a more specific description of the feelings involved.

What kind of situations is "bittersweet sense" best suited for?

"Bittersweet sense" works well in situations involving endings, memories, or significant life transitions where both positive and negative emotions are present. It is often used when reflecting on the past with a mix of happiness and regret.