how depressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how depressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of sadness or disappointment about a situation or event. Example: "After hearing the news about the closure of the local library, I couldn't help but think, how depressing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How depressing is that?

The New York Times

How depressing is this?

The New York Times

God, how depressing.

The Guardian

How depressing is that phrase!

Independent

"How depressing!" Now she was yawning.

The New Yorker

How depressing to report that Democratic incoherence has soared too.

The Economist

If I'm wrong, how depressing for the future of politics.

The Guardian - Opinion

I see now how depressing parts of it are.

The Guardian

You just can't relate to how depressing it can get".

The New York Times

PHYLLIS NAGY, SCREENWRITER, "CAROL" There aren't that many complex women on screen, and how depressing.

The New York Times

Passing the Nevins Street station, for example, he said, "Now look at that N — how depressing".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how depressing" to express a feeling of sadness or disappointment about a situation, but consider the audience and context. In formal settings, more nuanced alternatives like "how disheartening" or "how regrettable" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "how depressing" excessively in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary to maintain a professional tone. Instead, consider phrases like "it is disheartening to note" or "the situation is regrettable."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how depressing" functions primarily as an exclamatory expression used to convey a feeling of sadness, disappointment, or discouragement in response to a particular situation or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how depressing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to convey feelings of sadness or disappointment, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While highly common in news and media, its informal tone may not always be suitable for formal writing. When aiming for a more professional register, consider alternatives like "how disheartening" or "how regrettable". The phrase functions as an exclamatory expression, effectively communicating a negative emotional reaction. To avoid overuse and maintain precision, adapt your language to the specific context and audience. Remember to use "how depressing" judiciously to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how disheartening

Replaces "depressing" with a synonym emphasizing loss of morale or enthusiasm.

how sad

Simplifies the expression to a more basic emotional statement.

how disappointing

Focuses on the failure to meet expectations.

what a letdown

Uses a more informal and idiomatic expression.

how unfortunate

Highlights the bad luck or negative circumstances.

how regrettable

Emphasizes the feeling of wishing something hadn't happened.

how bleak

Suggests a sense of hopelessness or lack of positive prospects.

how gloomy

Conveys a feeling of darkness and pessimism.

how dismaying

Highlights the feeling of shock and disappointment.

what a pity

Expresses sorrow or compassion for the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "how depressing" in a sentence?

You can use "how depressing" to express a feeling of sadness or disappointment about a situation. For example, "How depressing that the event was canceled due to the weather".

What can I say instead of "how depressing"?

You can use alternatives like "how disheartening", "how sad", or "how disappointing" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "how depressing" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "how depressing" might be considered too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using more nuanced alternatives such as "it is disheartening" or "the situation is regrettable".

What's the difference between "how depressing" and "that's depressing"?

"How depressing" is often used as an exclamation or a rhetorical question expressing sadness or disappointment. "That's depressing" is a statement acknowledging the sadness or disappointment caused by something.