complained of sadness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complained of sadness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone expressing their feelings of sadness or dissatisfaction, often in a formal or clinical context. Example: "During the therapy session, she complained of sadness that had persisted for several weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Although he no longer complained of sadness, poor concentration and boredom, the problems that gave occasion to his being prescribed Prozac, he was now experiencing frequent disturbances of color and occasional moments when people he was looking at transformed into cartoonlike figures.

The New York Times - Health

However, the patient himself complained of sadness and depression, although he still showed interest in his life.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Before RT, 56% of the TG patients reported having concerns while 62% complained of having fears and 53% suffered from sadness.

BMC Cancer

Players complained of dizziness.

The Guardian - Sport

All complained of non-attendance.

The Economist

She complained of gallbladder problems.

The New Yorker

Turner complained of abdominal soreness.

The New Yorker

She complained of insidious persecutions.

The New Yorker

He complained of a draft.

The New York Times - Magazine

But he complained of tightness.

The New York Times - Sports

Others complained of historical inaccuracies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expressed feelings of sadness" when the context is not formal or clinical, to convey the sentiment without the formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "complained of sadness" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or clinical. Opt for simpler phrases like "felt sad" or "was unhappy" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complained of sadness" functions as a verb phrase followed by a prepositional phrase. It describes the action of voicing a complaint specifically related to the emotion of sadness. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complained of sadness" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the action of voicing a complaint specifically related to feelings of sadness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most appropriate for formal or clinical contexts, such as medical reports or psychological evaluations. Simpler alternatives like "expressed sadness" are better suited for informal settings. Although grammatically sound, "complained of sadness" should be wielded deliberately, considering the setting and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expressed feelings of sadness

Focuses on the expression of sadness, rather than a formal complaint.

reported experiencing sadness

Uses "reported" to indicate a formal or clinical account of sadness.

expressed discontent due to sadness

Highlights the discontent caused by sadness.

voiced feelings of unhappiness

Replaces "sadness" with "unhappiness" for a broader emotional scope.

lamented their sadness

Uses "lamented" to emphasize a deep sorrow or regret.

expressed sorrow

Focuses on the expression of sorrow, rather than a formal complaint.

reported being unhappy

Uses simpler language to convey a feeling of unhappiness.

felt sadness and voiced it

Breaks the phrase into two parts: feeling and voicing it.

indicated feelings of depression

Indicates a deeper emotional state than just sadness.

communicated their distress

Uses distress instead of sadness showing a more general form of suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "complained of sadness" in a sentence?

You can use "complained of sadness" to describe someone expressing their feelings of sadness or dissatisfaction, often in a formal or clinical context. For example: "During the therapy session, she "complained of sadness" that had persisted for several weeks."

What's a more informal way to say "complained of sadness"?

Alternatives include "felt sad", "was unhappy", or "expressed sadness", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "complained from sadness" grammatically correct?

No, the correct preposition to use with "complained" in this context is "of". The proper phrase is ""complained of sadness"".

What is the difference between "complained of sadness" and "expressed feelings of sadness"?

"Complained of sadness" suggests a formal expression of dissatisfaction, often in a clinical or official setting. "Expressed feelings of sadness" is more general and can refer to any articulation of sadness, regardless of the setting.