despairing about

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence "Despairing about the state of the world, she sought solace in volunteering at a local charity." The phrase "despairing about" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English to describe a feeling of hopelessness or distress.
It is typically followed by a noun, such as a situation or an emotion. Here are some additional example sentences: - "I found myself despairing about the future after reading the news." - "He was despairing about his finances, unsure of how he would make ends meet." - "The team was despairing about their chances of winning the championship after their star player was injured."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

But attitude and aptitude, the very things experienced coaches were despairing about on Tuesday, have to be learned.

The New York Times - Sports

She is similarly despairing about plastic foam.

The New York Times - Science

Despairing about the future of the theater?

The New York Times

And she is despairing about the Middle East.

The Guardian

To assert this is not necessarily to be despairing about politics.

The New Yorker

In addition to the dangers, residents say they are despairing about the political crisis gripping the province.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

But am I in despair about it?

The Guardian

We feel a kind of despair about our lives.

Independent

The whole episode makes you despair about making predictions.

The New York Times

It is easy to despair about the climate's prospects.

The New York Times

"I was in despair about it," she told me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despairing about" to express a deep sense of hopelessness or profound concern regarding a specific issue. Ensure that the context warrants such a strong emotional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "despairing about" in contexts that only require a milder expression of concern. Overusing strong emotional language can dilute its impact and appear melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despairing about" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject by expressing a state of hopelessness or deep concern. It commonly connects a person or entity with the cause of their despair. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and widely used in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "despairing about" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to convey a sense of hopelessness or deep concern regarding a specific subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used in diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic discussions. While semantically similar phrases such as "feeling hopeless about" or "concerned about" exist, "despairing about" carries a stronger emotional weight. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants such intensity and avoid overuse to maintain its impact. The frequent use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptance in formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling hopeless about

Replaces "despairing" with "feeling hopeless", emphasizing the lack of positive outlook.

pessimistic about

Focuses on a negative outlook without necessarily implying intense emotion.

distressed over

Highlights the emotional suffering caused by a particular situation.

losing hope for

Shifts the focus to the process of losing optimism rather than a current state of despair.

discouraged by

Highlights the feeling of being disheartened by something.

downhearted about

Conveys sadness and disappointment related to a specific subject.

anxious regarding

Emphasizes worry and anxiety rather than complete hopelessness.

beset by anxieties about

Focuses on being troubled and surrounded by worries regarding something.

apprehensive about

Emphasizes a sense of foreboding or unease.

concerned about

Presents a milder form of worry, lacking the intensity of despair.

FAQs

How can I use "despairing about" in a sentence?

Use "despairing about" to express a feeling of hopelessness or deep concern regarding a particular situation. For example, "She was "despairing about" the future of the environment".

What are some alternatives to "despairing about"?

Alternatives include "feeling hopeless about", "losing hope for", or "concerned about" depending on the intensity of the emotion you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "despairing about" or "in despair about"?

"Despairing about" directly describes the feeling, while "in despair about" describes a state of being. Both are grammatically correct, but "despairing about" might be more suitable when emphasizing a current feeling or reaction.

What kind of situations typically cause someone to be "despairing about" something?

Situations causing someone to be "despairing about" often involve significant negative trends, intractable problems, or perceived loss of control, such as environmental crises, political instability, or personal financial struggles.