grim news

USAGE SUMMARY

"grim news" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe news which is particularly unpleasant or depressing. For example: "The doctor gave us some grim news; the treatment wasn't working and the cancer had spread."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And, at a time when labor is already struggling to organize new workers, this is grim news.

The New Yorker

That is grim news.

The New York Times

And that's grim news.

The New York Times

And that would be grim news indeed.

The New York Times

Other surveys offer similarly grim news.

The New York Times - Travel

A price on carbon would have been grim news.

The New York Times

But the celebration was clouded by some grim news.

The New Yorker

About an hour later the radio brought grim news.

The New York Times

Businesses, of course, saw this as grim news.

The New Yorker

It revealed the grim news about his blocked arteries.

The New York Times - Health

500, largely on grim news for its employees.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grim news", ensure that the subsequent sentences elaborate on the specifics of the news to provide context and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "grim news" in casual conversations or informal writing, as its serious tone may sound overly dramatic or out of place. Opt for simpler alternatives like "bad news" or "unfortunate news" in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grim news" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes particularly unpleasant or depressing information, setting a negative tone for the subsequent context. Ludwig's examples show how it introduces reports of loss, failure, or other unfortunate events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grim news" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe particularly unpleasant or depressing information. According to Ludwig AI, it is often found in news and media contexts, serving to convey negative developments or highlight the severity of a situation. While versatile, it's best suited for formal or journalistic settings, and should be used sparingly in casual conversations. Ludwig's examples show that it can introduce reports of loss, failure, or other unfortunate events. Related phrases, such as "bleak outlook" or "dire straits", offer alternatives depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bleak outlook

Shifts the focus to future prospects, implying a pessimistic forecast based on current news.

grave situation

Underlines the severity and seriousness of the news, indicating a potentially critical or dangerous scenario.

bad tidings

Replaces "news" with a more old-fashioned term, implying a formal announcement of unfortunate events.

distressing situation

Emphasizes the emotional impact of the news, highlighting its upsetting nature.

depressing updates

Highlights the emotional impact of the news, emphasizing its disheartening nature.

discouraging information

Emphasizes the loss of hope or motivation due to the news.

unfortunate developments

Focuses on the progression of negative events, suggesting a situation that is worsening.

worrisome situation

Highlights the anxiety and concern caused by the news, focusing on the troubling circumstances.

unfavorable report

Suggests a formal assessment or evaluation that reveals negative outcomes.

dire straits

Emphasizes the severity and urgency of the situation, highlighting the critical nature of the news.

FAQs

How can I use "grim news" in a sentence?

You can use "grim news" to introduce or summarize a set of unfortunate or depressing information. For example, "The company reported "grim news" regarding its quarterly earnings." or "Despite the initial optimism, "grim news" emerged from the negotiations".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "grim news"?

Several phrases share a similar meaning to "grim news", including "bad tidings", "bleak outlook", or "dire straits", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "grim news" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "grim news" is generally better suited for formal or journalistic contexts. In everyday conversation, simpler phrases like "bad news" or "unfortunate news" may be more appropriate.

How does "grim news" differ from "bad news"?

"Grim news" suggests a greater level of severity or despair compared to "bad news". While "bad news" simply indicates unfavorable information, "grim news" implies a more depressing or hopeless situation.