express desperation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "express desperation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of conveying feelings of hopelessness or urgency in a situation. Example: "In her speech, she began to express desperation as she recounted the struggles her community faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Watching Gould, one is struck by the disparity between his need to express desperation and the playwright's contempt for anything so puerile as fear.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Have you?" US News also cautioned against "expressing desperation or anger," a pitfall Kavanaugh was also unable to avoid when he fumed, "This whole two-week effort has been a calculated and orchestrated political hit".

Vice

Whether their comments were made publicly to sincerely express financial desperation or to simply attempt to tarnish Obamacare, Arensmeyer said it seems "counterproductive to criticize" the law at this point.

Huffington Post

Mozart expressed financial desperation in letters of the time, and scholars have long sought to interpret their tone.

The New York Times - Arts

And Cassie, described as "too good for the chorus" by the director, expresses her desperation through whirling movement: Scarlett Strallen's sensational angst here brings to mind the manic edge that Lynn Seymour brought to Kenneth MacMillan's tormented heroines.

The Guardian

In their voices, the scientists and engineers expressed no desperation or regret that the odds were increasingly likely that the six-wheeled Spirit, stuck in a sand pit for nearly a year, would never get out and that it might freeze to death there during the coming winter.

The New York Times - Science

Illegalism as a practice emerged and within it "The acts of the anarchist bombers and assassins ("propaganda by the deed") and the anarchist burglars ("individual reappropriation") expressed their desperation and their personal, violent rejection of an intolerable society.

Wikipedia

But I managed to express the "sad desperation" that Senator McCain showed in his campaign by choosing someone so ill-suited to be a breath away from being President.

Huffington Post

It has less of a narrative thread, but the abstractly expressed emotion signals desperation.

The New York Times - Arts

The deep concern, even desperation, expressed by Cawthorne and other obesity researchers is perhaps the most unsettling development of all.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the second section, "Valse Mélancolique," Janie Taylor (another debut) and Jared Angle expressed the frantic desperation of the waltz without appearing frantic.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "express desperation", consider the specific emotion you want to convey. Choose stronger verbs or adjectives to provide additional context.

Common error

Avoid using "express desperation" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing to keep your writing engaging and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express desperation" functions as a verb phrase, where "express" is the verb and "desperation" is the noun acting as the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "express desperation" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that effectively communicates feelings of intense need and hopelessness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and is suitable for neutral reporting. When using this phrase, consider the specific emotional nuance you wish to convey and avoid overuse to maintain the impact of your writing. Related phrases like "convey despair" or "articulate urgency" can offer alternative ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convey despair

Focuses on the communication of deep sadness and loss of hope, similar to expressing desperation but with a stronger emphasis on sorrow.

voice despair

Specifically relates to verbally expressing profound unhappiness and hopelessness.

reveal hopelessness

Highlights the demonstration of the feeling that nothing good can happen, focusing on the lack of positive outlook.

articulate urgency

Highlights the need for immediate action, shifting the focus from emotion to the pressing nature of a situation.

demonstrate anguish

Highlights the display of extreme suffering, either physically or mentally.

communicate urgency

Emphasizes the act of making the need for quick action known.

show signs of distress

Emphasizes visible indicators of suffering, either emotional or physical, rather than a direct expression of desperation.

manifest anxiety

Focuses on showing signs of worry and unease, a component often associated with desperation.

exhibit panic

Emphasizes the outward signs of sudden, uncontrollable fear or anxiety, often associated with desperation.

air one's grievances

Focuses on expressing complaints or resentment, often arising from a desperate situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "express desperation" to describe someone showing or communicating their feelings of extreme need or hopelessness. For example: "The refugees began to "express desperation" as their supplies dwindled."

What can I say instead of "express desperation"?

You can use alternatives like "convey despair", "articulate urgency", or "reveal hopelessness" depending on the context.

Is it better to "express desperation" or "show desperation"?

Both "express desperation" and "show desperation" are grammatically correct. "Express desperation" focuses more on the act of communicating those feelings, while "show desperation" emphasizes the visible signs of it.

What's the difference between "express desperation" and "express frustration"?

"Express desperation" indicates a sense of hopelessness and urgent need, while "express frustration" conveys feelings of annoyance or dissatisfaction. Desperation is a much stronger emotion than frustration.