grieve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grieve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of experiencing sorrow or mourning, typically after a loss. Example: "After the passing of her grandmother, she needed time to grieve and reflect on their memories together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It is hard not to grieve for the independent life I once had, but there is a richness that comes from enjoying the small pleasures in life and focusing on the deep love I have for my friends and family.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Was it for this?" asked the Irish Times plaintively, evoking the poetry of WB Yeats from 1913 to grieve over the surrender of Irish sovereignty to a bunch of IMF and ECB accountants.

The Guardian - Business

Related: Adoptive parents need to be supported to help their child grieve There are real threats in all of this: cuts to local authority budgets; the challenge of recent court judgments in adoption; the adequacy of the current policy and legislation for special guardianship.

The Guardian

At 12, I was angry with Dad for not getting better, frustrated by the speed, or lack, of recovery and beginning to grieve for the loss of the father I'd known.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This type of care (known as a home funeral) is legal, and I would encourage it as a better way to grieve and to be closer to understanding death.

The Guardian - Opinion

He should grieve but he can't because he refuses to believe it is true.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Another edit made a few minutes later drew attention to an interview given by the then attorney general, Dominic Grieve, to his local newspaper in his Buckinghamshire constituency noting that he "was one of four members of the cabinet who abstained in the May 2013 same-sex marriage vote.

The Guardian

In some of his most aggressive comments about his coalition partners, the Liberal Democrat leader said the attorney general, Dominic Grieve, was sacked to allow the Tories to line up with "tyrants" such as Vladimir Putin in opposing the European convention on human rights.

The Guardian

That is the most immediate knock-on effect of removing people like Dominic Grieve – you have now got a much more extreme view taking root in the heart of the Conservative party".

The Guardian

Last year the previous attorney general, Dominic Grieve, warned the public to take care when commenting ahead of the inquest.

The Guardian

Percy Grieve, also a QC, also a Conservative MP, found his career stymied by his independence of mind – and, in particular, his son says, by the difficulty whips found in putting him in any one box, not least because his wife was, alarmingly, half-French.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grieve" to describe a deep sorrow, especially after the loss of someone or something valued. Ensure that the context makes it clear what is being grieved for.

Common error

Avoid using "grieve" without a clear indication of what the subject is sorrowing over. Always specify the loss or cause of sorrow to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "grieve" is as an intransitive verb, indicating the act of experiencing deep sorrow or mourning. Ludwig AI shows examples where it describes feeling sadness over a loss or unfortunate event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "grieve" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb that denotes the experience of profound sadness or mourning. Ludwig identifies its primary use in the context of News & Media and is typically associated with neutral register. To express similar emotions, consider using alternatives like "mourn" or "lament". Remember to specify the object of grief to maintain clarity. Ludwig AI validates its correct and frequent application in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mourn

Implies a formal or public display of sorrow.

lament

Suggests a passionate expression of grief or sorrow.

sorrow

A general term for deep sadness or regret.

feel grief

Explicitly states the experience of grief.

be in mourning

Indicates a period of sadness and reflection after a loss.

bear sorrow

Emphasizes enduring or carrying the burden of sadness.

agonize over

Highlights the mental anguish and distress associated with loss.

suffer

Focuses on the pain and hardship experienced during bereavement.

wail

Suggests an audible expression of deep sorrow.

weep

Refers specifically to crying as an expression of sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "grieve" in a sentence?

You can use "grieve" to describe the act of experiencing sorrow or mourning, typically after a loss. For example: "It's natural to grieve after such a significant loss."

What's the difference between "grieve" and "mourn"?

"Grieve" and "mourn" are similar, but "mourn" often implies a more formal or public expression of sorrow, while "grieve" can be a more personal and internal experience.

What are some alternatives to saying "grieve"?

Alternatives to "grieve" include "lament", "sorrow", or "feel grief" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "grieve for" something?

Yes, it is correct to say "grieve for" something. It indicates that you are feeling sorrow or mourning because of the loss or absence of that thing. For example: "They grieve for their lost opportunities."