it was very depressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was very depressing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, event, or experience that caused feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Example: "After watching the documentary about climate change, I felt that it was very depressing to see the state of our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It was very depressing.

The New Yorker

It was very depressing and I became very low".

The Guardian

It was very depressing to not be able to do the things I had always done.

The New York Times - Health

"It was very depressing, but I did feel very touched they helped me out," Mr. Blueskye said of the foundation.

The New York Times

Tristram Hunt, Labour's education spokesman, said it was "very depressing to see the government's partisan and divisive education policy continuing into this parliament".

The Guardian

"It was very depressing and very troubled, very painful," says Rodgers. "It was traumatic," says Owen. "I was emotionally part of the Labour party.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It's very depressing".

Independent

It is very depressing".

The New Yorker

"It's very depressing," Saleh says.

The Guardian

"It's very depressing for me.

The Guardian

"It's very depressing," he answered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "very" with a stronger adjective like "deeply", "incredibly", or "utterly" to intensify the feeling of depression. For example, "it was deeply depressing" conveys a stronger emotion.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "it was very depressing" repeatedly in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "it was quite disheartening" or "it was really bleak" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very depressing" functions as a subjective evaluation, expressing a personal feeling of sadness or hopelessness in response to a particular situation. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's commonly used to describe experiences that evoke negative emotions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was very depressing" is a commonly used phrase to express feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or discouragement, as supported by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and versatile, fitting various contexts like news reports and personal narratives. While the phrase is generally acceptable, varying your vocabulary and using stronger synonyms can enhance your writing. It’s essential to provide context when using this phrase to maximize its impact. While "very" is not wrong, it can be useful to use other alternatives such as "deeply saddening", "extremely disheartening" or "incredibly bleak". Frequent over usage could be avoided by doing that.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was deeply saddening

Replaces "very depressing" with "deeply saddening", intensifying the feeling of sorrow.

it was extremely disheartening

Substitutes "very depressing" with "extremely disheartening", emphasizing the loss of morale or enthusiasm.

it was incredibly bleak

Replaces "very depressing" with "incredibly bleak", highlighting the lack of hope or optimism.

it was exceptionally gloomy

Substitutes "very depressing" with "exceptionally gloomy", focusing on the somber or melancholic atmosphere.

it was particularly miserable

Replaces "very depressing" with "particularly miserable", stressing the discomfort and unhappiness experienced.

it was truly discouraging

Substitutes "very depressing" with "truly discouraging", emphasizing the loss of confidence or resolve.

it was utterly demoralizing

Replaces "very depressing" with "utterly demoralizing", highlighting the severe reduction in spirit or confidence.

it was awfully discouraging

Substitutes "very depressing" with "awfully discouraging", intensifying the negative impact on one's confidence.

it was profoundly upsetting

Replaces "very depressing" with "profoundly upsetting", underscoring the depth of emotional disturbance.

it was grievously disappointing

Substitutes "very depressing" with "grievously disappointing", emphasizing the deep sorrow caused by unmet expectations.

FAQs

What does "it was very depressing" mean?

The phrase "it was very depressing" describes a situation, event, or experience that caused significant feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or discouragement.

How can I use "it was very depressing" in a sentence?

You can use "it was very depressing" to express your feelings about a past event. For example, "After losing the game, "it was very depressing" to face our fans".

What can I say instead of "it was very depressing"?

You can use alternatives like "it was deeply saddening", "it was extremely disheartening", or "it was incredibly bleak" depending on the context.

Is "it was very depressing" too informal for academic writing?

While "it was very depressing" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "it was profoundly disheartening" or "it was exceptionally gloomy" in academic or professional contexts for a more impactful tone.