feeling desperate

USAGE SUMMARY

"feeling desperate" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe feeling hopeless or having a strong sense of urgency. For example, "I was feeling desperate to find a solution to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Write a list when you are feeling well and keep a copy you can look at whenever you need to If you are feeling desperate, PLEASE think about how people would feel if anything happened; the possible guilt,the appalling distress,the unanswered questions, the possible anger - lots of very different yet potentially devastating emotions.

WikiHow

Some women reflected on the link between their age and declining fertility, which served to increase their desperation to achieve motherhood: Having hit 40 and I'm feeling desperate, absolutely desperate, I would try anything and everything (Bernadette, 40yrs).

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Things were feeling desperate.

The New York Times - Arts

"People really are feeling desperate now.

The Guardian

Farmers are not the only people feeling desperate.

The New York Times

In the end, feeling desperate, I spoke to my GP.

The Guardian - Opinion

After a few months of looking for work, he started feeling desperate.

The New York Times

"I was on the edge and feeling desperate," he told me, in 2005.

The New Yorker

For me it is about complete surrender to someone else: the height of feeling desperate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I was feeling pretty desperate".

The Guardian

"I was feeling particularly desperate," she said during an interview here Saturday with her husband, John.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeling desperate" to convey a sense of urgency or emotional intensity, but avoid overusing it, as it can diminish its effect. Consider varying your language with synonyms like "feeling hopeless" or "at wit's end".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on the phrase "feeling desperate" to describe emotional distress. Instead, use specific and descriptive language to illustrate the character's state. For example, describe their actions, thoughts, or physical sensations to paint a more vivid picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling desperate" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of intense need or hopelessness. It highlights the emotional condition of the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feeling desperate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that effectively conveys a state of intense need or hopelessness. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is appropriate for use in written English and is often employed to describe situations requiring urgent action. As confirmed by Ludwig's analysis, it appears most commonly in news and media, wiki entries, and scientific contexts, exhibiting a neutral to slightly informal register. While versatile, varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "feeling hopeless" or "at wit's end" can enhance the richness and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling hopeless

Focuses on the lack of hope as the primary emotion.

feeling helpless

Emphasizes the lack of ability to change a situation.

at wit's end

An idiom indicating a loss of solutions or ideas.

in dire straits

Indicates a situation of extreme difficulty or danger.

on the brink

Suggests being close to a negative outcome.

in despair

Highlights the feeling of complete loss of hope.

at the end of one's rope

An idiom for reaching the limit of one's endurance.

losing hope

Focuses on the process of hope diminishing.

in a bind

Indicates a difficult or problematic situation.

against the wall

Implies being in a position with limited options.

FAQs

How can I use "feeling desperate" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling desperate" to describe a state of intense need or hopelessness. For example, "After losing his job, he was "feeling desperate" to find new employment."

What are some alternatives to saying "feeling desperate"?

Alternatives include "feeling hopeless", "at wit's end", or "in dire straits", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "feeling desperate"?

Yes, "feeling desperate" is grammatically correct. "Feeling" acts as a present participle modifying the subject, and "desperate" is an adjective describing the feeling.

What's the difference between "feeling desperate" and "being desperate"?

"Feeling desperate" describes a temporary emotional state, whereas "being desperate" suggests a more pervasive or inherent condition. For example, "He was "feeling desperate" because of his financial situation" implies a temporary state, while "He is a desperate man" suggests a more permanent characteristic.