instill sorrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instill sorrow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of causing someone to feel sadness or grief over time. Example: "The tragic news was enough to instill sorrow in the entire community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sorrow, sorrow, sorrow, grief, and sorrow.

The New Yorker

They will instill fear.

The New York Times

Instill values.

Harvard Business Review

"We instill independence," she said.

The New York Times

"All that sorrow".

The New Yorker

"The Cure for Sorrow".

The New Yorker

He accepted his sorrow.

The New Yorker

They instill moral character.

The Washington Post

They also instill confidence.

Harvard Business Review

Sorrow flattens her.

The New Yorker

And the sorrow.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "instill sorrow" when you want to emphasize a gradual or lasting implantation of sadness. For instance: "The constant reminders of her loss began to "instill sorrow" in her heart."

Common error

Avoid using "inspire sorrow" when "instill sorrow" is more appropriate. "Inspire" suggests a positive influence or motivation, while "instill" correctly conveys the gradual implanting of a negative feeling like sorrow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instill sorrow" functions as a verb phrase where "instill" (verb) acts upon "sorrow" (noun). Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in English. The primary grammatical function is to describe the action of gradually causing sorrow.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "instill sorrow" is a grammatically correct way to describe the act of gradually causing sadness or grief. Ludwig AI identifies it as usable in written English. While not a very common phrase, it can be employed to emphasize the gradual nature of sorrow's implantation. Ludwig suggests alternatives such as "cause grief" or "evoke sadness" if a more common expression is desired. When using this phrase, ensure that the context emphasizes a gradual process rather than a sudden infliction of sorrow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause grief

Focuses directly on the act of causing grief.

inspire grief

Similar to "instill sorrow" but uses 'inspire'.

evoke sadness

Emphasizes bringing about a feeling of sadness.

create heartache

Highlights the emotional pain caused.

induce melancholy

Highlights the creation of a state of melancholy.

plant sadness

Suggests a subtle and gradual introduction of sadness.

generate despair

Focuses on producing a feeling of hopelessness.

foster despondency

Implies nurturing a state of despondency.

trigger mourning

Focuses on initiating a period of mourning.

provoke lament

Emphasizes causing an expression of sorrow.

FAQs

How can I use "instill sorrow" in a sentence?

You can use "instill sorrow" to describe a situation or event that gradually causes sadness or grief. For example: "The tragic news was enough to "instill sorrow" in the entire community."

What are some alternatives to "instill sorrow"?

Some alternatives include "cause grief", "evoke sadness", or "induce melancholy" depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

Is "instill sorrow" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct and understandable, "instill sorrow" is not a frequently used phrase. Alternatives like "cause sadness" or "bring grief" are more common.

What is the difference between "instill sorrow" and "cause sorrow"?

"Instill sorrow" suggests a gradual process of sorrow being implanted or developed, whereas "cause sorrow" simply indicates the direct causation of sadness.