profound sadness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profound sadness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in any context in which you wish to describe intense grief. For example, you might write, "The bereaved father felt a profound sadness that overwhelmed him in the wake of his son's death."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Profound sadness remains.

The New York Times

That's really a lot of profound sadness.

The New York Times - Books

I also developed a profound sadness.

The New York Times

Chris Field: My main reaction is one of profound sadness.

Stanford University

But there is also a profound sadness to the satire.

Columbia University

I felt nothing but profound sadness, disappointment and unresolved anger.

The Guardian

Dr. Khader believes that profound sadness led to Ruti's miscarriage.

The New York Times

With major depression, there is a profound sadness or a sense of despair.

Harvard University

With profound sadness we announce the passing of our dearly beloved Efry z'l.

The New York Times

For them, it is not meaningful, and that's part of this story's profound sadness.

The New York Times

It is with profound sadness that the Cava family mourns Laura's passing on August 24, 2010.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a tragic event, "profound sadness" is appropriate to express sympathy or acknowledge the gravity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "profound sadness" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler terms like "very sad" or "deeply saddened" may be more appropriate in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound sadness" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "profound" modifies the noun "sadness". It describes the intense degree or depth of the feeling of sadness. Ludwig confirms the appropriateness of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profound sadness" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to convey deep sorrow or grief. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate in many contexts. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its prevalence in formal settings such as news reporting and academic writing. While there are several alternatives, such as "deep sorrow" or "intense grief", the choice depends on the specific emotional nuance you want to convey. When using "profound sadness", remember to reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant such a strong expression of emotion, avoiding overuse in casual contexts. Top authoritative sources include The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound grief

Synonymous, simply using a different noun form.

deep sorrow

Focuses more on the feeling of sorrow itself, rather than the intensity.

intense grief

Highlights the overwhelming nature of the grief experienced.

deep anguish

Emphasizes the mental or physical suffering caused by sadness.

overwhelming despair

Stresses a sense of hopelessness and loss of spirit.

acute grief

Implies a sudden and sharp experience of grief.

heartfelt sorrow

Conveys sincerity and depth of feeling.

bitter grief

Suggests grief mixed with resentment or anger.

boundless grief

Indicates that the grief is immeasurable.

unfathomable sorrow

Highlights that the sorrow is too difficult to fully understand or comprehend.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "profound sadness" in a sentence?

Use "profound sadness" to describe an intense emotional state, such as "The news of her passing filled him with "profound sadness"".

What are some alternatives to using "profound sadness"?

Consider alternatives like "deep sorrow", "intense grief", or "overwhelming despair" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "profound sadness" a formal expression?

Yes, "profound sadness" is generally considered a formal expression suitable for serious or somber contexts. In less formal situations, consider using "deep sadness" or "great sadness".

What's the difference between "profound sadness" and "simple sadness"?

"Profound sadness" indicates a very deep and intense feeling of sorrow, while "simple sadness" suggests a milder, less impactful feeling. The choice depends on the gravity of the situation and the depth of emotion you want to express.