despondent mood

USAGE SUMMARY

"despondent mood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of deep dejection and despondency. For example, "He was in a despondent mood after his grandmother passed away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Susanna Blamire also identifies the clouds with sorrow and gloom, but this matches her despondent mood of despondency, so the cloud, a "gloomy lowering of the sky", is a welcome visitor.

The Guardian - Books

The despondent mood I'd been trying to ward off all day overtook me as we sat on the hard benches.

The New Yorker

When Rosenzweig came into his office on Monday morning, he found Tommy Pon and Chris Donohue in a despondent mood.

The New Yorker

The website of sports daily L'Equipe mirrored the despondent mood Monday, with a headline reading "Quand La Fete Tourne Au Fiasco" (When The Celebration Turns to Fiasco).

Independent

See articleGermany contributed to the week's despondent mood by slashing its growth forecasts to 1.2% this year and 1.3% for 2015.

The Economist

As 1958 drew to a close, a despondent mood drew over the offices of the West Indian Gazette in Brixton, south London.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Leaders Of World's Economic Powerhouses In Somber Mood German business leaders are despondent.

Forbes

The mood is somewhat despondent in the Indian camp on the eve of the much-awaited cricket series of five One-Day Internationals against England, the first of which will be played in Rajkot on Friday.

The New York Times

In the weeks after the Supreme Court issued its decision in Bush v. Gore, on December 12, 2000, the mood was despondent in the chambers of the Justices on the losing side.

The New Yorker

By Jeffrey Toobin In the weeks after the Supreme Court issued its decision in Bush v. Gore, on December 12, 2000, the mood was despondent in the chambers of the Justices on the losing side.

The New Yorker

"Parents who have got large savings are giving money to their children to help them get on the ladder, because they are not getting any interest on their savings". There is a mood of despondent resignation, shared by most buyers, trooping to the viewings.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state in writing, use "despondent mood" to convey a sense of deep discouragement and hopelessness that affects their overall demeanor.

Common error

Avoid using "despondent mood" to describe temporary sadness or disappointment. "Despondent" indicates a more profound and lasting state of dejection. For short-lived sadness, consider terms like "disappointed" or "downcast".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "despondent mood" is to act as a noun phrase that describes a particular emotional state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase effectively conveys a state of deep sadness and discouragement. The examples show how it is used to depict someone's prevailing emotional condition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despondent mood" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a state of profound discouragement and hopelessness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for depicting deep sadness and is found most commonly in news and media, as well as science contexts. While alternatives exist for nuanced expression, using "despondent mood" effectively involves ensuring the context reflects a sustained and intense negative emotional state. Avoid using it for fleeting sadness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depressed state

Focuses more on a prolonged and clinical condition of low spirits.

heavy heart

Implies deep sadness and emotional burden.

downcast spirit

Suggests a loss of hope and enthusiasm.

melancholy feeling

Implies a pensive sadness, often without a specific cause.

dejected attitude

Conveys disappointment and discouragement.

discouraged mindset

Focuses on the loss of motivation and confidence.

somber disposition

Emphasizes a serious and grave outlook.

crestfallen sentiment

Indicates a sudden and sharp drop in spirits due to a setback.

gloomy outlook

Highlights a pessimistic view of the future.

pessimistic frame of mind

Emphasizes a general expectation of negative outcomes.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "despondent mood" in a sentence?

To use "despondent mood" effectively, ensure the context reflects a deep and prolonged state of sadness or hopelessness. For instance, "After losing his job, he fell into a "despondent mood" that lasted for weeks".

What are some alternatives to "despondent mood"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, you can use alternatives like "depressed state", "melancholy feeling", or "gloomy outlook".

Is "despondent mood" formal or informal?

"Despondent mood" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it tends to appear more frequently in formal writing and news reports due to its precise and descriptive nature.

What distinguishes "despondent mood" from simply being sad?

"Despondent mood" suggests a more profound and lasting state of dejection and hopelessness, while simply being sad usually implies a temporary emotional response to a specific event or situation.