sad sense

USAGE SUMMARY

"sad sense" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe an event that evokes feelings of sadness or regret, and can be used to describe various situations, both literal and figurative. For example: "The tragic death of the young child filled the room with a sad sense of loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Reading "A Saving Remnant," one feels a sad sense of history repeating itself.

The New York Times - Books

But it was tempered by the sad sense that sometimes, things don't work out.

The New York Times - Sports

There's few of us who don't have experience of that sad sense of being left behind.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As that effort slid 4ft past, there was a sad sense of inevitability.

The Guardian - Sport

The karaoke memorial is a low-key, almost perfunctory affair whose dominant mood is a sad sense of shared community.

The New York Times

"There were balloons and games and cake, yet somehow I was infected by a sad sense of time passing".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

A sadder sense comes from a blend of phony and romance, and describes e-mail schemes where the victims are selected from dating-site profiles.

The New York Times

Pritchett comes to the conclusion that the Davies boys "were living all he [Barrie] wished to be and what, in a sadder sense, he ineluctably was".

The New Yorker

Tell your old friends about Koronet by making a triangle with your arms, then feel a sad, cold sense of loss when you see that no one cares.

Columbia University

It made my brother and I so sad: that sense of a life rudely interrupted, without notice, with things started but not finished.

The Guardian - Opinion

I remember that, when he handed over the keys, he said: 'You'll never make a contemporary art gallery work in this country.' It was very sad, his sense of disillusionment".

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sad sense" to subtly convey feelings of disappointment, loss, or regret in narrative writing. It's particularly effective when describing a general atmosphere or emotional undercurrent rather than a specific event.

Common error

Avoid using "sad sense" too frequently in direct dialogue. Characters are more likely to express sadness through more direct or varied language, making the dialogue sound more natural and less formulaic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sad sense" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "sad" modifies "sense". It describes a particular emotional state or perception. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in conveying a general feeling of sadness or regret associated with a situation or event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Books

8%

Arts

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sad sense" is a noun phrase that effectively conveys a feeling of sadness or regret. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase, frequently appearing in news and media, as well as literary contexts. While broadly acceptable, consider the formality of your context; more precise vocabulary may be appropriate for highly formal writing. Remember to avoid overuse in direct dialogue to maintain a natural tone. The phrase captures a feeling of melancholy and nuanced emotional understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of sadness

Focuses on the emotional experience, emphasizing the feeling itself.

sense of sorrow

Uses a more formal term for sadness, suggesting a deeper level of grief.

melancholy feeling

Highlights a prolonged and reflective sadness.

feeling of regret

Implies sadness specifically related to something that has happened.

pang of sadness

Describes a sudden, sharp feeling of sadness.

wave of sorrow

Captures an overwhelming and intense sadness.

touch of melancholy

Suggests a mild, subtle sadness.

hint of sadness

Indicates a slight or understated feeling of sadness.

shade of sorrow

Emphasizes a subtle and less intense form of sadness.

trace of sadness

Denotes a minimal or barely perceptible feeling of sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "sad sense" in a sentence?

You can use "sad sense" to describe a feeling of melancholy or regret, as in "There was a "sad sense" of what might have been after the project failed".

What phrases are similar to "sad sense"?

Similar phrases include "feeling of sadness", "sense of sorrow", or "melancholy feeling". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "sad sense" in formal writing?

While "sad sense" is generally acceptable, consider the tone of your writing. In very formal contexts, more precise or nuanced vocabulary like "sense of regret" or "feeling of melancholy" may be more suitable.

How does "sad sense" differ from "bad feeling"?

"Sad sense" specifically implies a feeling of sorrow or regret, while "bad feeling" is a more general term that could indicate anxiety, unease, or any other negative emotion.