express despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "express despair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when conveying feelings of hopelessness or sadness in various contexts, such as literature, personal reflections, or discussions about mental health. Example: "In her poem, she chose to express despair through vivid imagery and haunting metaphors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And some of China's most fertile fields lie fallow, while the farmers express despair.

The New York Times

People in Lowville, N.Y., farther north, express despair on camera at having caved to the wind companies' entreaties; Bovina, N.Y., banned turbines entirely.

The New York Times

And one day, she says, she wants to be like her film-maker heroes – Godard, Antonioni, Almodóvar – adding with a final, emo flourish: "[I want] to express despair and longing through pictures and to intensify life.

The Guardian - Music

Marcus does at one point express despair about his own grasp of physics (vii.67).67

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He expressed despair.

The New York Times

Palestinian officials have expressed despair at such an approach.

The New York Times

Moderates like Senator Olympia J. Snowe, Republican of Maine, expressed despair at the resurgence of political infighting.

The New York Times

Rosenberg had frequently expressed despair over the violence that consumed Guatemala.

The New Yorker

The songs on it felt weary and doomed, expressing despair and also preventing her from falling too deep into its grasp.

The New Yorker

Republican House members said the political terrain was tilted against them, and some expressed despair about the months ahead at the private meeting on Wednesday.

The New York Times

In interviews over the telephone and Skype, Syrian rebels expressed despair, government supporters declared victory, and others expressed a mix of relief that American attacks did not seem imminent and confusion over American intentions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "express despair" when you want to clearly articulate a feeling of hopelessness or loss of spirit. It's more direct than simply "feeling despair" and emphasizes the active communication of this emotion.

Common error

While "express despair" is a valid phrase, be mindful of using it appropriately. Overusing it in minor setbacks or trivial situations can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express despair" functions as a verb phrase where "express" acts as a transitive verb taking "despair" as its direct object. It describes the act of outwardly communicating or showing feelings of hopelessness or extreme sadness. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "express despair" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for conveying feelings of hopelessness or profound sadness. While Ludwig AI validates its usage, its frequency is uncommon, primarily appearing in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. Alternatives include "show desperation" or "voice hopelessness", depending on the specific nuance desired. When writing, avoid overusing the phrase in trivial situations to maintain its impact. Ultimately, "express despair" serves to articulate a significant emotional state in a clear and understandable manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

voice hopelessness

Emphasizes the act of verbalizing a lack of hope.

communicate distress

Emphasizes the act of making suffering known to others.

show desperation

Focuses on demonstrating extreme need or loss of hope.

articulate sorrow

Highlights the clear and effective expression of sadness.

reveal despondency

Highlights the act of uncovering a state of low spirits.

display discouragement

Highlights the visible signs of a loss of confidence or enthusiasm.

convey anguish

Focuses on communicating severe mental or physical suffering.

exhibit pessimism

Focuses on showing a tendency to see the worst aspect of things.

manifest grief

Emphasizes the outward demonstration of sorrow.

air frustration

Focuses on expressing a feeling of discontent or annoyance.

FAQs

How can I use "express despair" in a sentence?

You can use "express despair" to describe someone showing or communicating their feelings of hopelessness or profound sadness. For example: "The farmers "express despair" over the failing crops".

What are some alternatives to "express despair"?

Alternatives include "show desperation", "voice hopelessness", or "reveal despondency", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "express despair" or "feel despair"?

"Express despair" implies an outward manifestation of the feeling, while "feel despair" refers to the internal experience. The choice depends on whether you want to focus on the communication of the emotion or the emotion itself.

What's the difference between "express despair" and "convey anguish"?

"Express despair" specifically refers to feelings of hopelessness, while "convey anguish" refers to a more intense and often physical suffering. Anguish implies a greater level of torment than simple despair.