grateful sigh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grateful sigh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sigh that expresses gratitude or relief, often in response to a positive situation or outcome. Example: "After receiving the good news, she let out a grateful sigh, feeling the weight of her worries lift away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Their association with women caused them to fall out of fashion with men, who presumably threw them to the back of the wardrobe with a grateful sigh.

The Guardian

But much of this Western is tense and intricately wrought, and I found myself settling into its stern logic and its physical splendor with a grateful sigh.

The New Yorker

There are some choppily edited scenes, but the viewer settles into the stern logic and physical splendor of the movie with a grateful sigh.

The New Yorker

To see him starting out again as someone less gaudy, more meticulous, more earthbound, is to witness a butterfly turning, with a grateful sigh of relief, into a caterpillar.

The Guardian

My family travels to Mammoth Mountain many times a year, taking a grateful sigh of relief when we see the jagged outline of the Minarets, looming behind Mammoth Mountain -- our welcoming committee.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A grateful LiS sighs: we may never truly know her, but at least we're a little closer to the truth regarding the greatest enigma of our age.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A grateful nation breathed a sigh of relief.

The New York Times

And if the court succeeds, the nation may well breathe a sigh of relief, grateful that someone brought this mess to a close.

The New York Times

Then, sighing, Porter covered her lips and chin and nose with a flurry of seeking kisses, as if both grateful and falsifying the record.

The New Yorker

Sigh and double-sigh.

The New York Times

Another sigh.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grateful sigh" to express a sense of relief and thankfulness after a period of stress or uncertainty. It suggests a positive resolution to a challenging situation.

Common error

Avoid using "grateful sigh" in situations that are clearly mundane or lack genuine emotional weight. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound melodramatic or insincere. Be mindful of the context and ensure that the expression fits the scene appropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grateful sigh" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "grateful" modifies the noun "sigh". It expresses a sigh that is filled with gratitude, indicating a feeling of relief and thankfulness. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grateful sigh" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression used to convey a sense of relief and thankfulness. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage, primarily found in news and media contexts. It functions as a noun phrase, with "grateful" modifying "sigh", and serves to express a positive emotional release following a period of stress or uncertainty. While versatile, avoid overuse in melodramatic contexts. Consider alternatives like "sigh of relief" or "thankful exhalation" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sigh of relief

Focuses more on the relief aspect, less on active gratitude.

sigh of thankfulness

Directly replaces gratitude with thankfulness.

relieved sigh

Highlights the feeling of relief experienced.

appreciative sigh

Emphasizes the appreciation felt at the moment.

thankful exhalation

Replaces the common "sigh" with a more formal "exhalation", emphasizing gratitude.

exhalation of gratitude

A more verbose and formal way to express the same emotion.

heartfelt sigh

Suggests a deeply felt emotion, possibly mixed with relief or sadness.

welcome sigh

Implies that the sigh is a response to something positive or desired.

sigh of contentment

Focuses on the feeling of satisfaction and ease.

blessed sigh

Conveys a sense of divine favor or blessing.

FAQs

How can I use "grateful sigh" in a sentence?

The phrase "grateful sigh" is used to express relief and thankfulness simultaneously. For example, "After the surgery was declared a success, she let out a "grateful sigh"".

What are some alternatives to "grateful sigh"?

You can use alternatives like "sigh of relief", "thankful exhalation", or "relieved sigh" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "grateful sigh" formal or informal?

"Grateful sigh" falls in a neutral register and is appropriate for most writing contexts, including news articles and personal narratives. However, in very formal or scientific writing, consider more precise language.

What feeling does a "grateful sigh" typically express?

A "grateful sigh" expresses a combination of relief and gratitude. It suggests that a burden has been lifted, and the person is thankful for the positive outcome. Consider sigh of relief if you want to focus on the relieving part.