lonely to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lonely to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a feeling of loneliness in relation to something or someone, but it lacks proper context and structure. Example: "I feel lonely to be away from my friends."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

They are all lonely to some degree.

The New Yorker

I think it would be lonely to do it apart".

The New York Times - Style

How lonely to see only the worst of people.

The New Yorker

It must be very lonely to be a mom and isolated in this area".

The Guardian

If they went to a nursing home they would be lonely to death".

The New York Times

How lonely to inhabit the planet without that familiar and alien gaze to keep us company.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Head to Lonely Label to shop.

Huffington Post

EXTRAFFINITAL MELANCHOLY Which is lonelier: to be single and lonely, or to be lonely within a dead relationship?

The New York Times

It is better to be lonely than to have friends that are mean.

WikiHow

"It feels lonely today, to be honest".

The New York Times

That I rode the lonely train to Boston?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing feelings of loneliness, use more standard expressions such as "feeling lonely", "lonely without", or "lonely for" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Do not use the phrase "lonely to" as it is not a recognized or grammatically sound construction in standard English. Opt for established phrases to accurately convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lonely to" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase followed by a preposition. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, this construction is not grammatically correct in standard English. It attempts to describe a state of loneliness related to something, but it requires restructuring to be accurate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "lonely to" appears across various sources, it is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as a non-idiomatic expression. To accurately convey feelings of loneliness, it is recommended to use alternative phrases such as "feeling lonely", "lonely without", or "lonely for", depending on the intended meaning. The phrase's presence in News & Media suggests an attempt at relatable language, but its non-standard form makes it unsuitable for formal or professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling lonely

This phrase directly states the emotion of loneliness without specifying a cause or object.

lonely without

This expresses loneliness due to the absence of something or someone.

lonely for

This indicates a longing or yearning that causes loneliness.

isolated

This describes a state of being separated from others, implying loneliness.

alone and lonely

This emphasizes both the physical state of being alone and the emotional state of loneliness.

feeling of isolation

This refers to the subjective experience of being cut off from others.

sense of loneliness

This highlights the perception or awareness of being lonely.

experience of loneliness

This focuses on loneliness as a lived phenomenon or event.

suffering from loneliness

This phrase explicitly conveys the negative impact and distress caused by loneliness.

yearning for company

This phrase express desire for other presence.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct way to express the sentiment behind "lonely to"?

Instead of "lonely to", use phrases like "feeling lonely", "lonely without", or "lonely for" depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

Is "lonely to" ever considered correct in any context?

No, "lonely to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. While it might appear in some informal contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing or speech.

How can I avoid using "lonely to" in my writing?

Focus on using standard English prepositions and phrasing. If you mean feeling lonely because of something missing, use "lonely without". If you're expressing a yearning, try "lonely for".

What are some alternative ways to describe the feeling of being "lonely to" in a sentence?

Consider rephrasing your sentence to use adjectives like "isolated" or "alone", or using verbs like "yearn" or "miss" to convey the underlying sentiment more accurately.