getting really depressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting really depressed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing feelings of sadness or despair, often in a personal or informal context. Example: "Lately, I've been getting really depressed about my job situation and the uncertainty it brings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Now, I'm getting really depressed.

Huffington Post

At the start I was in the Philippines, and I was 13, and I started getting really depressed.

Vice

It's not worth getting really depressed about.

WikiHow

I'm getting really depressed and hitting a real low.

The Guardian - Money

"I've got no money for Christmas, I move from house to house, and I'm getting really depressed".

The New York Times

"24 hours and I start blacking out and getting really depressed," wrote one user.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I lived down in the Wall Street area and it was getting really depressing.

TechCrunch

When I'm depressed, when I get really depressed, I can't eat.

Huffington Post

You get really depressed.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I got really depressed," she said later.

The New Yorker

"I just got really depressed," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing feelings of sadness, consider the audience and context. "Getting really depressed" is suitable for informal conversations or personal writing. For formal settings, consider alternatives like "experiencing profound sadness" or "feeling deeply saddened".

Common error

While "getting really depressed" is a valid expression, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language to convey nuanced feelings of sadness, such as using more specific terms like "disheartened", "despondent", or "melancholy" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting really depressed" functions as a descriptive phrase expressing a state of increasing sadness or despair. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The examples show it used to describe personal feelings in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "getting really depressed" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe an increasing state of sadness or despair. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable in written English, particularly in neutral to informal contexts. While "very common" in sources such as The New York Times, Huffington Post and The Guardian, consider its formality when choosing it; for more formal writing, alternatives like "experiencing profound sadness" might be more appropriate. Be mindful of overuse to maintain impact and consider varying your language with more specific terms to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sinking into depression

Similar to the original phrase but uses "depression" as a noun, emphasizing the state.

feeling extremely down

Uses "down" as a more colloquial synonym for depressed, emphasizing the feeling aspect.

experiencing profound sadness

Emphasizes the intensity and depth of the sadness.

becoming deeply saddened

Replaces "really depressed" with a more formal expression of sadness.

growing increasingly despondent

Highlights the progressive nature of the feeling.

slipping into despair

Implies a gradual descent into a state of hopelessness and sadness.

descending into despondency

Emphasizes the loss of hope and motivation.

plunging into melancholy

Uses a more literary and intense term for sadness, suggesting a profound depth of feeling.

lapsing into dejection

Implies a temporary state of low spirits and unhappiness.

succumbing to gloom

Suggests a yielding to a pervasive atmosphere of negativity.

FAQs

What does "getting really depressed" mean?

The phrase "getting really depressed" describes a state of increasingly intense sadness, despair, or low mood. It suggests a progression into a more severe state of unhappiness.

Are there more formal ways to say "getting really depressed"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "experiencing profound sadness", "feeling deeply saddened", or "becoming increasingly despondent" in more formal contexts.

Is it better to say "getting really depressed" or "sinking into depression"?

Both phrases are valid, but "sinking into depression" might suggest a more serious or clinical condition. "Getting really depressed" can describe a broader range of increasing sadness, while depression is a clinical term for a prolonged and severe mood disorder.

What are some less intense alternatives to "getting really depressed"?

If you want to express mild sadness, you could use phrases like "feeling a bit down", "feeling somewhat sad", or "getting a little blue".