depressed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depressed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express feelings of sadness or low mood caused by something or someone. Example: "She felt deeply depressed by the news of her friend's illness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In turn, the mother was depressed by her son's failings and this depression caused her symptoms.

Huffington Post

And they're depressed by it.

The New Yorker

Sunil Sikka is depressed by Giles' success.

The Guardian - Sport

He seemed depressed by the notion.

The New Yorker

"I've been very depressed by Mr. Clinton.

The New York Times

Does she ever feel depressed by all this?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Would straight women be titillated or depressed by cyborg hookers?

The New Yorker

I expected that I would become depressed by my loss.

The New York Times

Marshall said schools would be depressed by the new syllabus.

The Guardian

Are you depressed by the prospect of dying?

The New York Times - Science

Is he never depressed by feel-good movies?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "depressed by" to clearly convey a feeling of sadness or low spirits caused by a specific event, situation, or person. This phrasing effectively communicates the source of the negative emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "depressed by" when describing clinical depression. Clinical depression is a complex medical condition and should not be simplified as merely being caused by a single external factor. Use it only to define the short term sadness caused by something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depressed by" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is experiencing a state of sadness or low spirits as a direct result of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "depressed by" is a grammatically sound and common phrase used to express sadness or a low mood caused by a specific factor. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, indicating its acceptance in standard English. It's most frequently encountered in News & Media contexts, though it also appears in Science and Formal & Business settings. While useful for describing situational sadness, it's important not to misuse it as a replacement for clinical depression. Consider alternatives like "saddened by" or "discouraged by" to vary your language. Use "depressed by" to clearly link a feeling of sadness to its specific source.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

saddened by

Replaces "depressed" with a milder term for unhappiness.

downcast due to

Indicates a lowered mood or spirit caused by a specific reason.

discouraged by

Implies a loss of enthusiasm or hope due to something.

disheartened by

Suggests a feeling of disappointment and reduced morale.

dispirited by

Conveys a sense of lost vitality or energy due to something.

weighed down by

Emphasizes the burden or oppressive feeling caused by something.

made despondent by

Highlights a severe state of low spirits and hopelessness.

bummed out by

An informal way to express being upset or disappointed.

oppressed by

Emphasizes the feeling of being heavily burdened or controlled by something.

affected negatively by

A more neutral way of saying something had a detrimental emotional impact.

FAQs

How can I use "depressed by" in a sentence?

Use "depressed by" to show that a particular thing has caused sadness or a low mood. For example, "She was deeply depressed by the news." or "He felt depressed by the constant rain."

What are some alternatives to "depressed by"?

You can use alternatives like "saddened by", "discouraged by", or "disheartened by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am depressed by"?

Yes, "I am depressed by" is grammatically correct. It indicates that something has caused you to feel sad or low. For example, "I am depressed by the current state of affairs."

What's the difference between "depressed by" and "depressed about"?

"Depressed by" indicates a direct cause, while "depressed about" suggests a more general feeling of sadness related to a topic. For example, "depressed by the news" implies the news directly caused sadness, whereas "depressed about the situation" suggests a general feeling of sadness regarding the situation.