felt sadness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt sadness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an emotional experience or reaction to a situation that causes sorrow or unhappiness. Example: "After hearing the news of her departure, I felt sadness wash over me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

The Masai felt sadness.

The New York Times

"I felt sadness and anger all at the same time".

The New York Times

"He felt sadness and regret," his wife, said.

The New York Times

She felt sadness but also a kind of confusion.

The New Yorker

I said I felt sadness that my grandfather had apologized to Judge Aiken.

The New York Times

In either case, most said publicly only that they felt sadness about the mayor's situation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

To feel sadness when something sad is happening is appropriate and truthful.

Huffington Post

Instead, he feels sadness.

The New York Times

"You feel sadness," he added.

The New York Times

Does he feel sadness?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I feel sadness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more vivid language to describe the source of the "felt sadness". Instead of simply stating the emotion, elaborate on what caused it for a stronger impact.

Common error

Avoid constructions like "sadness was felt", which can sound awkward and less direct. Instead, use "felt sadness" to keep the writing active and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt sadness" functions as a verb phrase where the verb "felt" is transitive and takes "sadness" as its direct object. This indicates the experience of feeling the emotion of sadness. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase is frequently used in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "felt sadness" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe experiencing the emotion of sadness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reports to personal narratives. The phrase appears frequently in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When using the phrase, consider elaborating on the source of the sadness for a stronger impact and avoid passive constructions. Alternatives like "experienced sorrow" or "sensed melancholy" can provide different nuances to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experienced sorrow

Replaces "felt sadness" with a more formal and literary expression using "experienced".

endured grief

Substitutes "felt sadness" with a stronger term "grief", implying a deeper and more prolonged sorrow.

sensed melancholy

Uses "melancholy" to describe a contemplative or gentle sadness instead of a direct feeling.

was overcome with grief

Emphasizes the intensity of the feeling, suggesting a state of being overwhelmed by sadness.

knew sorrow

A more poetic or literary way of expressing the experience of sadness.

was touched by sorrow

Implies that the sadness was caused by something specific that affected the person.

felt a pang of sadness

Indicates a sudden and sharp feeling of sadness, often brief.

was tinged with sadness

Suggests that the sadness is a subtle undertone to the overall experience.

felt a weight of sorrow

Uses the metaphor of weight to describe the burden of sadness.

carried a burden of sadness

Similar to "felt a weight of sorrow" but implies a more sustained experience of sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "felt sadness" in a sentence?

You can use "felt sadness" to describe your emotional reaction to an event or situation, such as "After hearing the news, I "felt sadness" wash over me".

What can I say instead of "felt sadness"?

You can use alternatives like "experienced sorrow", "felt grief", or "sensed melancholy", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "felt sadness" or "felt sad"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Felt sad" describes a state of being, while ""felt sadness"" describes the specific emotion experienced.

Is "felt sadness" formal or informal?

"Felt sadness" is generally considered appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile choice for expressing sorrow.