deep anguish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deep anguish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a profound or intense feeling of suffering or distress. Example: "After hearing the news of her friend's passing, she was overcome with deep anguish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

This is of deep anguish to me".

Independent

It was like deep anguish is the best way I could describe it, very, very troubled".

Independent

Mr. Pistorius, 26, says he mistook Ms. Steenkamp for a burglar, and expressed deep anguish at her death.

The New York Times

The Horace Mann School is in deep anguish at the tragic passing of its cherished student Noah Simring '03.

The New York Times

Mr Qadri taps into deep anguish among Pakistanis who despair at the rotten state of their country and their cynically awful leaders.

The Economist

And though she sometimes gives them reason for tears, deep anguish is no more a part of her palette than madcap hilarity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It comes at the midway point of the record, when flickers of optimism begin to creep in, even if the overwhelming sense is of a soul wrestling with bone-deep anguish.

The Guardian - Music

The author himself, arriving at what he terms "perhaps... the heart of our story," asks: How much can we hope to understand those who have suffered deeper anguish, greater deprivation, and more crushing disappointments than we ourselves have known?

The New Yorker

There is no deeper anguish that I can think of than losing you, my daughter, and knowing that no one will be there to help me mourn your death.

Huffington Post

Paul Bailey, writing in the British newspaper The Observer, called the book "wholly engrossing — social history viewed from the angle of deep personal anguish".

The New York Times

This is not to say that sadness isn't a common response to loss, but an experience of deep debilitating anguish tends to be the exception rather than the rule.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "deep anguish" with descriptive language that amplifies the emotional impact on the reader. For example, describe physical manifestations of anguish like trembling hands or a voice choked with emotion, to create a more immersive experience.

Common error

Avoid using "deep anguish" in situations that warrant milder expressions of sadness or disappointment. Overusing such a strong phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic. Reserve it for truly grave circumstances to maintain its potency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deep anguish" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "deep" modifies the noun "anguish". It serves to intensify the feeling of anguish, indicating a profound level of emotional suffering. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deep anguish" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that effectively communicates profound emotional suffering. It is best suited for formal or serious contexts, such as news reporting and literary works, where the intent is to convey significant emotional pain. Alternatives include "profound grief" and "intense sorrow", which can be used to vary the expression while maintaining the intensity. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's crucial to reserve "deep anguish" for situations that truly warrant such a strong expression to avoid diluting its impact. Therefore it is best to avoid this phrase in everyday conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound grief

Replaces "anguish" with "grief" to focus on sorrow, maintaining intensity.

intense sorrow

Uses "sorrow" instead of "anguish" focusing on sadness, while "intense" mirrors "deep".

deep sorrow

A more straightforward synonym, replacing anguish with sorrow.

acute distress

Substitutes "anguish" with "distress" highlighting suffering and "acute" for "deep".

great suffering

Replaces both words to emphasize pain, using "great" to match the degree of "deep".

profound suffering

Swaps "anguish" with "suffering", keeping the intensity using "profound".

intense pain

Uses "pain" to represent suffering with "intense" for emphasis.

extreme agony

Replaces "anguish" with "agony", indicating severe suffering and uses extreme to enhance.

heartfelt sorrow

Emphasizes the emotional depth of "sorrow", suggesting a deeply felt sadness.

grievous pain

Uses "pain" and "grievous", focusing on severe distress or suffering.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "deep anguish" in a sentence?

Use "deep anguish" to describe a profound and intense feeling of suffering, typically in situations involving significant loss or distress. For example, "The family felt "deep anguish" after the sudden loss of their home."

What are some alternatives to "deep anguish"?

You can use alternatives like "profound grief", "intense sorrow", or "acute distress" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "deep anguish" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "deep anguish" is more suited for formal writing or situations where you want to emphasize the severity of emotional suffering. In casual conversation, simpler terms like "great sadness" or "extreme worry" might be more appropriate.

What distinguishes "deep anguish" from "slight disappointment"?

"Deep anguish" describes severe emotional pain and suffering, often resulting from significant trauma or loss. Conversely, "slight disappointment" refers to a mild feeling of dissatisfaction when expectations are not fully met. The key difference lies in the intensity and cause of the emotion.