sad line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sad line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a line of text, dialogue, or poetry that evokes feelings of sadness or melancholy. Example: "The poem's final stanza contained a sad line that lingered in my mind long after I had finished reading."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In one memorable scene, Wiig's character painstakingly constructs an elaborate cupcake and contemplates it, her mouth twisted into a jagged, sad line, before taking a massive bite — an act of self-destructive defeat rather than of indulgence.

The New York Times - Magazine

Israelis and Palestinians traded lethal blows today across their disputed boundary, while Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said he was considering creating a buffer zone along the same sad line in hopes of foiling terrorists by further separating the snarled populations.

The New York Times

Dead Funny often moved from a joke to a devastating, sad line, and each of those emotions was heightened by the fact that they were placed side by side.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He acknowledges that without quests he'd turn to substance abuse but describes that abuse elsewhere as more mind-expanding than destructive, and the misery glimpsed in a passing moment in which he notes his "eyes small and piggy in the mirror, face collapsed in sad lines of loneliness and defeat" is never explored.

The New York Times - Books

These sad lines point to the devastating losses in children's lives from the war, which was unfolding exactly two years ago.

Huffington Post

And then in the saddest line of all and one that could be read as a kind of grim epitaph for the possibilities of changing our American imperial world, he added that he now wonders, "How on Earth could I, a junior analyst, possibly believe I could change the world for the better".

Huffington Post

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.

The New Yorker

She opened the book and began to read: Tonight I can write the saddest lines.

The New Yorker

She opened the book and began to read: **{:.break one} ** Tonight I can write the saddest lines.

The New Yorker

Here (in a translation by W. S. Merwin) is the beginning of the twentieth poem: Tonight I can write the saddest lines.

The New Yorker

"I remember thinking that I was going to be happy," Dafna says, in one of the saddest lines in recent cinema.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for emotional depth in your writing, use the phrase "sad line" to succinctly describe dialogue, poetry or text that evokes sadness. This can be particularly effective in literary analysis or creative writing where conveying specific emotional tones is key.

Common error

Avoid using "sad line" repeatedly to describe every instance of sorrow in dialogue. Instead, diversify your descriptions using more evocative language related to tone, body language, and the overall context of the scene to enrich the emotional impact on your reader.

Linguistic Context

"Sad line" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "sad" modifies the noun "line". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for describing a sentence, remark, or passage that evokes feelings of sadness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sad line" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing text or dialogue that evokes sadness, as validated by Ludwig AI. While not extremely common, it is consistently used across reputable news and media sources. To enhance your writing, consider diversifying your descriptions of sadness by exploring alternatives like "melancholy remark" or "sorrowful statement". Remember to avoid overuse and focus on descriptive language that enriches the emotional impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

melancholy remark

Replaces "sad" with "melancholy" and "line" with "remark", emphasizing the somber tone of the statement.

sorrowful statement

Replaces "sad" with "sorrowful" and "line" with "statement", highlighting the expression of grief.

unhappy sentence

Substitutes "sad" with "unhappy" and "line" with "sentence", focusing on the element of written expression conveying unhappiness.

depressing phrase

Substitutes "sad" with "depressing" and "line" with "phrase", indicating a saying that causes lowered spirits.

heartbreaking sentiment

Replaces "sad" with "heartbreaking" and "line" with "sentiment", amplifying the emotional impact of the idea.

tragic quote

Replaces "sad" with "tragic" and "line" with "quote", suggesting a memorable and devastating expression.

woeful expression

Replaces "sad" with "woeful" and "line" with "expression", indicating a statement full of grief or distress.

mournful passage

Replaces "sad" with "mournful" and "line" with "passage", suitable for referring to text expressing deep sorrow, typically from literary work.

dismal remark

Replaces "sad" with "dismal" and "line" with "remark", stressing the bleak or depressing nature of the statement.

pathetic utterance

Replaces "sad" with "pathetic" and "line" with "utterance", which emphasizes the pitiable nature of the expression.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "sad line" in a sentence?

Use "sad line" to describe a piece of dialogue, poetry, or text that conveys a sense of sorrow or melancholy. For example, "The play contained a "sad line" about lost love that moved the audience to tears."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "sad line"?

Alternatives to "sad line" include "melancholy remark", "sorrowful statement", or "heartbreaking sentiment", each offering a slightly different nuance in expressing sadness.

Is "sad line" too simplistic for academic writing?

While "sad line" is understandable, in academic writing, consider using more descriptive alternatives like "mournful passage" or "tragic quote" to add depth and precision to your analysis.

What is the difference between a "sad line" and a "depressing phrase"?

While both convey negative emotions, a "sad line" generally evokes sorrow or melancholy, whereas a "depressing phrase" /s/depressing+phrase suggests a deeper sense of gloom or hopelessness.