cause for sadness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause for sadness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reason or justification for feeling sad or upset about a situation. Example: "The news of the company's closure was a significant cause for sadness among the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

His assassination is a cause for sadness among those who struggle for a tolerant, democratic Pakistan.

The New York Times

The boys and girls were kept apart, even in church, and if a young couple announced that they wished to marry it was a cause for sadness.

The New Yorker

The lack of a Foot monument in Plymouth three years after his death is a cause for sadness and frustration among his many friends and admirers in Devon.

The Guardian

I'm instinctively sceptical about the Queen's analysis: the circumscribed life that awaits our future king seems mostly a cause for sadness, not hope.

Independent

Humans are social creatures, and sentimental too, so the loss of any racecourse – in fact, anywhere that people have often gathered to enjoy themselves – is always a cause for sadness and regret.

The Guardian - Sport

"The ending of this story was quite popular and beautifully judged by Jo Rowling and [director] David Yates, so it's not a cause for sadness.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

More studies need to be conducted so we can narrow down the biggest causes for sadness for mothers of 3 and 4-year-olds, along with the best courses of action to help.

HuffPost

It is a cause for abiding sadness and anguish.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is always a shock — and a cause for deep sadness — when a gunman fires malevolently at crowds of innocent people.

The New York Times

Possibly, though, another cause for the sadness was that I realized, on some level, that my parents, when they watched me trying to devise schemes for observing the drum's rotation, were wholly wrong about what they were seeing — that the world they saw and suffered over was wholly different from the childhood world in which I existed.

The New Yorker

For some people, the cause of sadness is concrete and easily identifiable, like a breakup, death of a loved one, or loss of a job.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about events that evoke sadness, use "cause for sadness" to clearly and directly state the reason for the emotional response. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "cause for sadness" repetitively within a short passage. Vary your language by employing synonyms like "reason for sorrow" or "source of grief" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause for sadness" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies the reason or origin of a feeling of sadness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cause for sadness" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to denote the reason or origin of sadness. Ludwig AI analysis shows it appearing in news, scientific articles, and even wikis, highlighting its wide applicability. While fairly common, it's wise to vary your vocabulary by considering alternatives like "reason for sorrow" or "source of grief", depending on the specific emotional intensity you want to convey. Avoid overuse to maintain reader engagement. This phrase is useful for expressing and understanding the reasons behind feelings of sadness in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for sorrow

This alternative replaces 'cause' with 'reason' and 'sadness' with 'sorrow', offering a more formal tone.

source of grief

This phrase uses 'source' instead of 'cause' and 'grief' to convey a deeper sense of sorrow.

reason for disappointment

This alternative shifts the focus slightly, emphasizing a feeling of letdown rather than deep sadness.

occasion for regret

This phrase highlights the feeling of regret associated with the situation.

matter for lament

This alternative uses more formal and literary terms to describe something worthy of mourning.

ground for unhappiness

This phrase replaces "sadness" with "unhappiness", making the expression sound slightly less intense.

source of distress

This alternative focuses on the emotional pain and suffering caused by the situation.

reason for anguish

This phrase employs "anguish" to express severe mental or physical suffering.

incident for sorrow

This substitutes "cause" with "incident", framing the sadness as a result of a specific event.

basis for misery

This alternative uses "misery" to convey a state of extreme unhappiness or suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "cause for sadness" in a sentence?

You can use "cause for sadness" to indicate the reason for feeling sad. For example: "The cancellation of the event was a "cause for sadness" among the fans."

What are some alternatives to "cause for sadness"?

Some alternatives include "reason for sorrow", "source of grief", or "reason for disappointment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cause for sadness" formal or informal?

"Cause for sadness" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and tone of the writing.

What is the difference between "cause for sadness" and "reason for sadness"?

The phrases "cause for sadness" and "reason for sadness" are largely interchangeable. "Cause" emphasizes the origin or source, while "reason" highlights the justification or explanation for the sadness. The difference is subtle.