brought me down

USAGE SUMMARY

"brought me down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation in which someone or something has caused you to feel discouraged, sad, or disheartened. For example, "My supervisor's harsh criticism really brought me down last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Poverty has brought me down completely.

The Guardian

"He caught me and brought me down with it.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was outside and one of the teachers saw me crying and they brought me down here," Rahsaan said.

The New York Times

Examining those 300 patients brought me down from my high horse of ethics.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, I don't go with the idea that there... that what brought me down was a coup, a conspiracy etc.

The Guardian

Of course, people used to say to me that it was the study itself of philosophy that brought me down, a charge that cannot be altogether denied.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Nothing can bring me down!

The Guardian - Sport

He just never brings me down".

The New York Times - Style

So don't you bring me down today".

The New Yorker

"I don't need energy squanderers bringing me down".

The New York Times

He was really talking about bringing me down".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brought me down", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to an emotional state, a physical action, or a figurative decline. Clarity helps avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "brought me down" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "disheartened" or "discouraged" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brought me down" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something or someone caused the speaker to feel sad, discouraged, or physically lowered. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing emotional states and physical actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brought me down" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a decrease in emotional state or a physical lowering. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. With a "Common" frequency, it appears most often in news and media, with a neutral to informal register. While acceptable in many contexts, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings. When writing, ensure clarity to avoid misinterpretations, as the phrase can refer to both emotional and physical states. The examples from Ludwig highlight its broad applicability in expressing negative impacts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got me down

A more informal way of expressing a similar sentiment.

made me feel low

General expression of feeling down or unhappy.

made me sad

A straightforward expression of causing sadness.

discouraged me

Highlights a reduction in motivation or confidence.

lowered my spirits

Focuses specifically on emotional state, indicating a reduction in happiness or enthusiasm.

pulled me down

Suggests a forceful action causing a decline.

disheartened me

Implies a loss of hope or enthusiasm.

dampened my mood

Indicates a lessening of positive feelings.

deflated me

Suggests a reduction in ego or pride.

depressed me

Indicates a more severe and prolonged state of sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "brought me down" in a sentence?

You can use "brought me down" to describe something that made you feel sad or discouraged. For example, "The bad news really brought me down".

What's a more formal alternative to "brought me down"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like /s/disheartened, /s/discouraged, or /s/lowered+my+spirits, which convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is it always appropriate to use "brought me down" in writing?

While grammatically correct, "brought me down" might be too informal for certain contexts. Assess your audience and the overall tone of your writing to determine if a more sophisticated phrase is necessary.

What's the difference between "brought me down" and "got me down"?

The phrases are very similar, with /s/got+me+down being slightly more informal. Both describe a feeling of sadness or discouragement, but "brought me down" can also imply a physical action or event.