expressed sorrow

USAGE SUMMARY

"expressed sorrow" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when conveying emotions of sadness, regret, or grief. For example, "He expressed sorrow for his actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The council expressed "sorrow" over the situation.

The New York Times

He expressed sorrow at Kennedy's death.

The New York Times

Nearly everyone we spoke to expressed sorrow, disbelief and hopelessness.

The Guardian - Opinion

The king expressed sorrow at the first two deaths.

The Economist

Repeatedly, he apologized and expressed sorrow for the outcome.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead of vitriol, they have expressed sorrow, focusing on the plight of former employees.

The New York Times

There was no reason to grieve, the Rastas told anyone who expressed sorrow.

The Guardian - Music

Nassau officials expressed sorrow over the deaths but defended the county's policy.

The New York Times

We've expressed sorrow for it, and we're sorry that that happened.

The New York Times

He expressed sorrow and outrage over the attack that killed four US embassy officials in Benghazi.

The Guardian

And he expressed sorrow over the turmoil in his home town.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expressed sorrow", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the sorrow to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "He expressed sorrow for the victims of the disaster."

Common error

While appropriate in formal settings, consistently using "expressed sorrow" in casual conversations can sound unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "felt sad" or "was sorry" in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expressed sorrow" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the act of communicating sadness or regret. Ludwig AI identifies this usage across numerous contexts, from news reports to formal statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Academia

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expressed sorrow" is a common and grammatically correct way to communicate sadness, regret, or sympathy. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used in news and media contexts and has a generally neutral to formal tone. While it's essential to consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase, as overusing it in informal settings can sound unnatural, Ludwig's examples show that it's a versatile expression for conveying empathy and acknowledging difficult situations. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage and grammatical soundness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended condolences

Offers sympathy and support, typically in response to a loss or tragedy.

voiced regret

Focuses on the act of verbally communicating feelings of remorse or disappointment.

conveyed grief

Emphasizes the communication of deep sadness, a more intense emotion than sorrow.

registered sympathy

Signifies a formal or official expression of compassionate understanding.

showed sadness

Highlights the outward display of sorrow, potentially through non-verbal cues.

shared their grief

Indicates a communal expression of sadness and loss.

lamented

Implies a more formal and often public expression of sorrow or mourning.

communicated remorse

Stresses the act of conveying a deep feeling of guilt and regret for past actions.

deplored

Expresses strong disapproval and regret, often in response to a specific event or situation.

felt sorrow

Focuses on the internal experience of sadness, rather than its outward expression.

FAQs

How can I use "expressed sorrow" in a sentence?

You can use "expressed sorrow" to describe someone communicating their sadness or regret, such as "The president "expressed sorrow" over the tragic events."

What are some alternatives to "expressed sorrow"?

Instead of "expressed sorrow", consider using phrases like "conveyed grief", "voiced regret", or "showed sadness" to vary your language.

Is it better to say "expressed sorrow" or "felt sorrow"?

"Expressed sorrow" emphasizes the outward communication of sadness, while "felt sorrow" focuses on the internal feeling. Use "expressed sorrow" when you want to highlight how someone communicated their sadness to others.

What's the difference between "expressed sorrow" and "extended condolences"?

"Expressed sorrow" is a general statement of sadness or regret. "Extended condolences" "extended condolences" specifically refers to offering sympathy and support, typically in response to a death or loss.