profound grief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profound grief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep and intense feeling of sorrow, often in the context of loss or mourning. Example: "After the passing of her beloved pet, she was overwhelmed by profound grief that lingered for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The nation shares their profound grief with them.

The New York Times

In so doing, he considers forms of experience associated with trauma, schizophrenia, and profound grief.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Many animals display profound grief at the loss or absence of a relative or companion.

University of California, Berkeley

His extreme anger with her over her meddling is supposed to have caused her profound grief.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"This conference expresses profound grief over the tragedy which has no equal in history," he said.

Independent

He did, however, express feelings of "profound grief" and offered "eternal, sincere condolences".

Independent

The profound grief of loss of a good and wonderful person.

The Washington Post

The official Government press agency said he expressed "profound grief and sorrow" about the violence.

The New York Times

And there is no comfort in the prospect of financial security contingent upon profound grief.

The Guardian

The cards on the bouquets voiced anger, shock, and profound grief.

The New Yorker

But maybe it is a feature of profound grief that it seems to be yours alone.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state, use "profound grief" to convey a sense of deep and overwhelming sorrow, particularly after a significant loss. Ensure the context supports the intensity of the emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "profound grief" to describe minor disappointments or inconveniences. This phrase is reserved for situations involving significant loss or tragedy; using it inappropriately can dilute its impact and appear insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound grief" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "profound" modifies the noun "grief". It expresses a state of deep and intense sorrow. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing personal loss and collective mourning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

22%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profound grief" is a commonly used phrase to describe a deep and intense feeling of sorrow, especially after a significant loss. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedias, indicating its appropriateness for formal and neutral contexts. While phrases like "deep sorrow" or "intense sadness" can serve as alternatives, "profound grief" specifically emphasizes the depth and weight of the sorrow experienced. It's best reserved for situations where the intensity of grief is truly significant, avoiding overuse in everyday contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep sorrow

Replaces the adjective "profound" with "deep", maintaining the intensity of the grief.

intense sadness

Substitutes both "profound" and "grief" with synonyms that emphasize the emotional depth.

deep anguish

Replaces "grief" with "anguish", highlighting the mental or physical suffering.

overwhelming sorrow

Uses "overwhelming" to describe the magnitude of the sorrow experienced.

acute bereavement

Replaces "grief" with a more formal term, "bereavement", to describe the state of mourning, and "profound" with "acute" to convey sharpness and intensity.

heartfelt grief

Uses "heartfelt" to emphasize the sincerity and depth of the grief.

unmitigated sorrow

Highlights the unrelenting nature of the sorrow with "unmitigated".

agonizing grief

Focuses on the painful and distressing aspects of grief.

crippling sorrow

Emphasizes the incapacitating effect of intense sadness.

extreme mourning

Replaces "grief" with "mourning" to focus on the process of grieving, described as "extreme".

FAQs

How can I use "profound grief" in a sentence?

You can use "profound grief" to describe a deep and intense sorrow experienced after a significant loss. For example: "The nation shared their "profound grief" with the bereaved family."

What can I say instead of "profound grief"?

Alternatives to "profound grief" include "deep sorrow", "intense sadness", or "overwhelming sorrow", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct: "profound grief" or "deep grief"?

Both "profound grief" and "deep grief" are correct, but "profound grief" suggests a more intense and overwhelming sense of sorrow. "Deep grief" is also acceptable and widely understood.

What's the difference between "profound grief" and "intense sadness"?

"Profound grief" typically implies a sorrow related to loss, especially death, while "intense sadness" can refer to a strong feeling of sorrow in various contexts, not necessarily related to bereavement. Thus, "profound grief" has a more specific and weighty connotation.