consumed with grief

USAGE SUMMARY

"consumed with grief" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to be overwhelmed or deeply affected by grief. You can use it to describe a person or a character's emotional state. Example: After the sudden death of her husband, Jane was consumed with grief and struggled to go about her daily tasks. Another example: The entire nation was consumed with grief when the news of the tragedy broke.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Mr. Zagula said Dagmara was consumed with grief.

The New York Times

But they are consumed with grief, saddled with medical expenses, and incensed about what they call the school's negligence.

The New York Times - Sports

Sheila Calliee Thorne, Jimmyy's widow and Damien's mother, is consumed with grief and guilt about her son.

The New York Times - Arts

Consumed with grief and without access to therapy or antidepressant medications, Susan became addicted to crack cocaine.

The New York Times

When he gazed at her, he could see she was as consumed with grief as he was.

The New York Times

First Grief, Then Anger When the news of Ms. Estemirova's murder reached Moscow, Mr. Orlov was consumed with grief and regret: Why hadn't Memorial gotten her out sooner?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Yesterday morning was consumed with the grief of the witnesses.

The New York Times

The wailing from the gallery at every mention of the old king outdid the applause at the inauguration of the new.Jordanians seem consumed with genuine grief at the death of the man who had been their king for nearly half a century.

The Economist

Without these caring adults, Jessica would have been consumed with her grief and probably would have dropped out like many of her peers.

Huffington Post

And in postdivorce turmoil, when many mothers suddenly find themselves having to go to work or school, and when both parents are often consumed with their own grief or desire to move on, even very young children tend to receive less care.

The New York Times - Books

She hospitalizes him and, frantic with grief and consumed with worry about the future of her young son, tracks down Ismal in an attempt to enlist his help.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the intensity you wish to convey. While "consumed with grief" implies a profound emotional state, other phrases might be more appropriate for milder forms of sadness. Choose the expression that best fits the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "consumed with grief" in situations where the level of sadness doesn't warrant such a strong expression. Using it for minor disappointments can diminish its impact when describing genuine tragedies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consumed with grief" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (usually a person or group of people) to describe their emotional state. It intensifies the feeling of grief, indicating that it is all-encompassing and overwhelming, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Lifestyle

6%

Opinion

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consumed with grief" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a state of being overwhelmed by sorrow, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. Alternatives like "overwhelmed by grief" or "stricken with grief" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies its intensity to avoid overstatement. As Ludwig AI also highlights, this expression effectively communicates profound emotional distress and evokes empathy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelmed by grief

Focuses on the feeling of being overpowered by sorrow, slightly less intense than "consumed".

grief-stricken

Adjective to express a state of deep sorrow, more direct and less figurative.

stricken with grief

Emphasizes the sudden and impactful nature of grief, implying a sense of being deeply affected.

filled with sorrow

Highlights the presence of sorrow as the predominant emotion, a more general term than "grief".

in deep mourning

Emphasizes the state of grieving and its potential impact on behavior and appearance.

deeply saddened

A simpler and more direct way to express profound sadness, lacking the intensity of "consumed".

heartbroken

Conveys a sense of emotional devastation, often associated with loss or disappointment.

inconsolable

Suggests an inability to be comforted, focusing on the persistence of grief.

despondent

Implies a state of low spirits and hopelessness, stemming from grief or other causes.

mourning deeply

Highlights the active process of grieving, emphasizing the depth of sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "consumed with grief" in a sentence?

You can use "consumed with grief" to describe someone who is overwhelmed by sorrow, such as, "After losing her family, she was "consumed with grief" and unable to function normally".

What are some alternatives to "consumed with grief"?

Some alternatives to "consumed with grief" include "overwhelmed by grief", "stricken with grief", or simply "deeply saddened", depending on the intensity of the emotion you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "consumed with grief"?

Yes, "consumed with grief" is a grammatically correct phrase. It uses "consumed" as an adjective to describe the state of being overwhelmed by "grief".

What's the difference between "sad" and "consumed with grief"?

"Sad" is a general term for unhappiness. "Consumed with grief" describes a more intense and overwhelming emotional state, specifically related to bereavement or significant loss.