in sadness

USAGE SUMMARY

'in sadness' is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it to express a feeling of depression or sorrow. For example, "She closed her eyes and sighed heavily in sadness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"People come here for a reason, in sadness and happiness," he said.

BBC

Pierce joins me in sadness.

The New York Times

"I don't believe in sadness," she says.

The Guardian - Music

We end in sadness and violence.

The New Yorker

The association between Lyndon Johnson and Hubert Humphrey ended in sadness.

The New Yorker

She said this not in sadness or complaint.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was always enveloped in sadness because he had nothing to give me.

The New York Times

Girl-next-door vocals and whispered sweet nothings drenched in sadness.

The Guardian - Music

The Earl of Courtown shook his head, more in sadness than anger.

The Guardian

The seven songs - four featuring in an epic Hurricane Suite - are soaked in sadness and melancholia.

The Guardian - Music

In sadness, we mourn the passing of our dear friend, Bill Wingate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "in sorrow" or "with grief" to add nuance or emphasis to the emotion you're describing.

Common error

While "in sadness" is a valid phrase, avoid overusing it in writing that is already emotionally charged. Opt for showing the sadness through actions and descriptions rather than explicitly stating it to avoid melodrama.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in sadness" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a state is experienced. Ludwig examples show it describing how someone speaks, shakes their head, or feels, adding emotional context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in sadness" is a common and grammatically sound way to express feelings of sorrow or unhappiness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, highlighting its widespread use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's advisable to consider synonyms like "in sorrow" or "with grief" to add nuance or avoid overuse. As you write, be mindful of the emotional tone and ensure that "in sadness" enhances rather than detracts from the overall impact. Its frequency demonstrates its familiarity to readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in sorrow

A direct synonym, interchanging the prepositional use of "sadness" with "sorrow".

with sorrow

Replaces "sadness" with "sorrow", a close synonym, slightly more formal.

in grief

Mirrors "in sadness" but uses "grief", indicating a more profound and intense sorrow.

with grief

Emphasizes the deep emotional pain, suggesting a more intense feeling of loss.

with a heavy heart

Emphasizes the emotional burden and weight of sadness.

with a sense of loss

Focuses on the feeling of losing something or someone important, causing sadness.

with melancholy

Conveys a more reflective and pensive sadness, often associated with a sense of longing.

in despair

Highlights a state of hopelessness and loss of courage, more intense than simple sadness.

in mourning

Suggests a formal and public expression of grief, often associated with death.

with despair

Suggests a complete loss of hope, indicating a deeper and more intense emotional state.

FAQs

How can I use "in sadness" in a sentence?

You can use "in sadness" to describe a state of feeling or action performed with sorrow. For example, "She spoke "in sadness" about the loss of her friend" or "He shook his head "in sadness" after hearing the news".

What are some alternatives to "in sadness"?

Alternatives include "with sorrow", "in sorrow", "with grief", or "in mourning", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "in sadness" or "with sadness"?

Both "in sadness" and "with sadness" are grammatically correct, but "in sadness" is slightly more common and sounds more natural in most contexts. The choice depends on the specific sentence structure and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "in sadness" and "in grief"?

"In sadness" describes a general state of sorrow or unhappiness, while "in grief" implies a deeper, more intense sorrow, usually associated with loss or bereavement. "In grief" suggests a more profound emotional experience.