bouts of sadness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bouts of sadness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe episodes or periods of feeling sad or depressed. Example: "After experiencing several bouts of sadness, she decided to seek professional help to cope with her emotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Bouts of sadness, disinterest, or lack of motivation happen to everyone.

Harvard University

Other symptoms include intrusive thoughts about death; uncontrollable bouts of sadness, guilt and other negative emotions; and a preoccupation with, or avoidance of, anything associated with the loss.

The New York Times - Health

For his characters, the Holocaust remains a chasm in the historical continuum, robbing them of a sense of continuity and leaving them with a form of post-traumatic stress disorder manifested in their taste for seemingly aimless wanderings around Europe, as well as in recurrent anxiety attacks, lingering bouts of sadness and an inability to connect.

The New York Times - Books

Alexsandra Wixom started experiencing uncontrollable bouts of sadness when she was 15. "I was emotionally off.

Forbes

The journey has had its ups and downs, confusing and awkward moments, bouts of sadness, anger, and anxiety.

Huffington Post

One issue is in how "depression" and "anxiety" are defined and how they are distinguished from bouts of sadness, nervousness, or even personality traits.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It is more than a passing bout of sadness or dejection, or feeling down in the dumps.

Harvard University

Depression is more than a passing bout of sadness or dejection, or feeling down in the dumps.

Harvard University

But then, seemingly out of the nowhere, she experienced another bout of sadness.

HuffPost

Upon surviving my near death experience, I went into a deep bout of sadness that lasted for many weeks.

Huffington Post

When I timidly told my OB-GYN of my symptoms: sleeplessness, anxiety and bouts of unexplained sadness, he casually suggested a glass of wine at night and gave me a prescription for Ambien.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional experiences, be specific about the context and triggers of the "bouts of sadness" to provide a clearer understanding of the situation. For example, 'Following the loss of her job, she experienced frequent bouts of sadness'.

Common error

Avoid equating "bouts of sadness" with clinical depression without professional diagnosis. "Bouts of sadness" refer to temporary periods of feeling down, while depression is a persistent and pervasive mood disorder requiring clinical assessment and treatment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bouts of sadness" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes recurring periods of sadness, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bouts of sadness" is a noun phrase used to describe recurring or intermittent periods of sadness. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and appears in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While not a frequent expression, its use is appropriate for describing emotional experiences that are temporary and recurring. It is important not to confuse it with clinical depression, and writers should aim to provide context to better understand the triggers of these emotional episodes. Alternatives like "periods of sadness" or "episodes of sadness" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

periods of sadness

Focuses on the duration of the feeling rather than its intermittent nature.

episodes of sadness

Emphasizes distinct occurrences of sadness, similar to 'bouts'.

waves of sadness

Highlights the fluctuating intensity of sadness, suggesting a rising and falling pattern.

moments of despair

Conveys a deeper level of sadness, implying hopelessness.

fleeting sadness

Describes sadness that is brief and transient.

attacks of sadness

Uses a stronger term to denote sudden and intense onsets of sadness.

spells of melancholy

Replaces 'sadness' with a more nuanced term, suggesting a reflective and pensive state.

fits of gloom

Replaces 'sadness' with a term indicating a dark or depressing mood.

times of sorrow

Uses a more general term for sadness, implying grief or loss.

outbursts of grief

Indicates sudden and uncontrolled expressions of deep sorrow.

FAQs

How do I use "bouts of sadness" in a sentence?

You can use "bouts of sadness" to describe temporary periods of feeling sad or depressed. For example, "After the breakup, she experienced frequent "bouts of sadness"." It indicates that the sadness comes and goes.

What's the difference between "bouts of sadness" and depression?

"Bouts of sadness" are temporary feelings of sadness, while depression is a persistent mood disorder. If "feelings of sadness" are prolonged, seek professional help.

What can I say instead of "bouts of sadness"?

You can use alternatives like "periods of sadness", "episodes of sadness", or "waves of sadness" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "bouts of sadness"?

Use "bouts of sadness" when describing intermittent or recurring periods of sadness that are not necessarily indicative of a long-term condition. It's suitable when referring to "temporary feelings of sadness" triggered by specific events or circumstances.