makes me sad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "makes me sad" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of sadness caused by a specific person or thing. Here is an example: "The news of the recent natural disaster makes me sad for all the people affected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That makes me sad.

The New Yorker

Normally, this makes me sad.

The New York Times

That's what makes me sad".

The New York Times - Sports

It just makes me sad.

The New Yorker

This makes me sad.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sometimes it makes me sad.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It makes me sad," she said.

The New York Times

"It makes me sad," he said.

The New York Times

But it also sometimes makes me sad.

The New York Times

Thinking about that day makes me sad.

The New York Times

"This problem makes me sad and angry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "makes me sad" to express a direct emotional response to a specific event, situation, or piece of information. It's suitable for expressing personal feelings in both informal and formal contexts.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing "makes me sad" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more nuanced and professional alternatives like "disheartens me" or "is a source of concern" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes me sad" functions as a subject-verb-object construction expressing a cause-and-effect relationship. The subject (something) causes the speaker to experience the emotion of sadness. Ludwig examples show its common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "makes me sad" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express personal feelings of sadness. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the expression is correct and frequently used in written English.

While generally acceptable across various contexts, including News & Media, it's essential to consider the formality of the situation. In highly formal or professional settings, consider more nuanced alternatives like "disheartens me" or "is a source of concern" to maintain an appropriate tone. "Makes me sad" is a straightforward way to convey your emotions, but choosing the right words ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

saddens me

A more concise and direct way to express the same sentiment. Changes the structure slightly.

I am saddened by this

Expresses a passive reaction to an external event.

it's a source of sadness for me

Highlights the cause of the sadness rather than the feeling itself.

it brings me sadness

More formal and emphasizes the feeling of sadness as a result.

it fills me with sorrow

Emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of sorrow.

it depresses me

Conveys a stronger sense of sadness or low spirits.

I'm disheartened

Expresses a feeling of disappointment and discouragement.

I feel sorrowful

Emphasizes the internal feeling of sorrow rather than an external cause.

it breaks my heart

More dramatic and emphasizes emotional pain.

it causes me grief

More formal and suggests a deep sense of loss or sorrow.

FAQs

What does "makes me sad" mean?

The phrase "makes me sad" expresses a feeling of sadness or unhappiness caused by a particular situation, event, or thought. It indicates that something has evoked a sense of sorrow in the speaker.

How can I use "makes me sad" in a sentence?

You can use "makes me sad" to describe your emotional reaction to something. For instance, "The news about the endangered species "makes me sad"" or "It "makes me sad" to see so much waste."

What are some alternatives to "makes me sad"?

Some alternatives to "makes me sad" include "saddens me", "it brings me sadness", "I'm disheartened", or "I am saddened by this". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "makes me sad" too informal for professional communication?

While "makes me sad" is generally acceptable, it can be perceived as too informal in certain professional contexts. Consider using alternatives like "is a source of sadness" or "causes me concern" for a more professional tone.