engulfed in gloom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'engulfed in gloom' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or a place that is filled with sadness or a feeling of hopelessness. For example, "The old, abandoned house was engulfed in gloom, and nobody dared to enter it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A club who have accrued one and two points respectively from their August fixtures in the past two seasons find themselves engulfed in gloom after a solitary loss this time round, a summer's ambitious pledges exposed to date as empty promises.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Is he engulfed in glum moroseness?

Forbes

Ahmed was engulfed in smoke.

Independent

But engulfed in flames.

The Guardian - Sport

At first, visitors are engulfed in babble.

The Economist

The beachhead was engulfed in flame.

The New Yorker

It was engulfed in flames.

The Guardian - Film

I was engulfed in flame. . . .

The New Yorker

Both are engulfed in flames.

The New York Times

Five cars were engulfed in flames.

The New York Times

She was engulfed in a fireball.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "engulfed in gloom" to vividly describe situations or environments dominated by sadness or despair. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the oppressive or all-encompassing nature of the gloom.

Common error

Avoid using "engulfed in gloom" for mild or fleeting sadness. The phrase implies a deep and pervasive sense of despair, so reserve it for situations where the gloom is truly overwhelming.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engulfed in gloom" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to modify a noun, indicating a state or atmosphere characterized by pervasive sadness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "engulfed in gloom" is a grammatically sound and evocative expression used to describe a state of being completely surrounded by sadness or despair. While not very common, it is found in reputable sources like The Guardian and The New Yorker, as Ludwig AI confirms. It functions descriptively and aims to evoke a strong emotional response. More common alternatives, such as "immersed in sadness" or "overwhelmed by despair", might be preferred for everyday use, but "engulfed in gloom" is appropriate when emphasizing the depth and pervasiveness of the sadness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immersed in sadness

Changes the image from being surrounded to being deeply involved in sadness.

overwhelmed by despair

Shifts the focus to being overpowered by a feeling of hopelessness.

lost in melancholy

Implies a more gentle and reflective state of sadness compared to being engulfed.

sunk in despondency

Suggests a heavy, weighed-down feeling of hopelessness.

consumed by sorrow

Emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of grief.

drowning in negativity

Uses a more intense, visceral image of being overcome by negative feelings.

shrouded in darkness

Replaces 'gloom' with 'darkness', focusing on the absence of light and hope.

plunged into depression

Highlights the sudden and forceful entry into a state of deep sadness.

steeped in pessimism

Emphasizes a pervasive and ingrained negativity.

affected by grief

A more neutral way to describe the state of someone that is sad.

FAQs

How can I use "engulfed in gloom" in a sentence?

You can use "engulfed in gloom" to describe a place or situation filled with a pervasive sense of sadness or despair. For example, "After the factory closed, the town was "sunk in despondency" and "plunged into depression"."

What are some alternatives to "engulfed in gloom"?

Alternatives include "immersed in sadness", "overwhelmed by despair", or "lost in melancholy". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "engulfed in gloom" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "engulfed in gloom" is not a very common expression. It is more literary and evocative than everyday speech. Consider more common alternatives for general use.

What's the difference between "engulfed in gloom" and "sunk in gloom"?

"Engulfed in gloom" suggests being completely surrounded and overwhelmed by a feeling of sadness. "Sunk in gloom" implies being weighed down and trapped in a state of sadness. The former is more encompassing, while the latter is more about being burdened.