fall into despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall into despair" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of extreme sadness or hopelessness. For example: After realizing she had failed her exams, she fell into despair.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

To fall into despair is just a high-class way of turning into a dope.

The New York Times - Books

And when the Westerners travel east, they frequently fall into despair.

The New York Times - Food

"There are a lot of people that don't take the diagnosis well, and fall into despair," Ms. Commodore said.

The New York Times

"I expect the market to fall into despair and panic and I expect that to get worse".

The New York Times

Given the challenges facing Labour and Corbyn, there is a propensity for people on the left to fall into despair.

The Guardian - Opinion

Where others might fall into despair, he inevitably finds reason for hope and even a kind of irrepressible cheerfulness.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Fearing the worst, he falls into despair.

The Guardian

Girl falls into despair — or the nearest funeral pyre.

The New York Times

Only anger is keeping me from falling into despair.

The Guardian

Many are falling into despair, they see no way out".

The Guardian

It was not long before the expansion packs fell into despair.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall into despair" to depict a gradual process of losing hope, especially when highlighting the circumstances leading to this state. For example, "After losing his job and facing mounting debt, he began to fall into despair."

Common error

Avoid using "fall into despair" to describe fleeting moments of sadness. This phrase implies a deep and persistent sense of hopelessness, not a temporary emotional downturn.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall into despair" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate in a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing a process of emotional decline. It expresses the action of transitioning into a state of hopelessness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall into despair" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a gradual descent into a state of hopelessness and extreme sadness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various writing contexts. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While alternatives like "succumb to hopelessness" or "sink into depression" exist, "fall into despair" effectively conveys a process of losing hope due to difficult circumstances. Remember to reserve this phrase for genuine and profound emotional distress, avoiding its misuse for fleeting moments of sadness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose hope

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the loss of optimism.

succumb to hopelessness

Emphasizes yielding to a state of hopelessness, suggesting a lack of resistance.

descend into despondency

Implies a gradual decline into a state of low spirits and loss of hope.

sink into depression

Highlights the clinical aspect of despair, focusing on a prolonged period of sadness.

give way to discouragement

Suggests surrendering to feelings of disappointment and loss of motivation.

succumb to discouragement

Emphasizes yielding to feelings of disappointment and loss of motivation.

plunge into gloom

Suggests a sudden and dramatic entry into a state of sadness and negativity.

lapse into misery

Focuses on the state of unhappiness and suffering that results from despair.

drown in sorrow

Uses a metaphor to illustrate being overwhelmed by sadness and grief.

be overcome by anguish

Emphasizes the intense mental or physical suffering caused by despair.

FAQs

What does "fall into despair" mean?

The phrase "fall into despair" describes a state of losing hope and becoming extremely sad or discouraged, often due to difficult circumstances.

How can I use "fall into despair" in a sentence?

You can use "fall into despair" to describe someone's reaction to a series of negative events or a significant loss. For instance, "After the company's bankruptcy, many employees "fell into despair"."

Are there alternative phrases for "fall into despair"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "succumb to hopelessness", "sink into depression", or "plunge into gloom" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "fall into despair" versus "feel sad"?

"Fall into despair" is appropriate when describing a profound and persistent loss of hope, while "feel sad" is more suitable for temporary or less intense feelings of unhappiness.