sad with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sad with" is not commonly used in standard written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used to express a feeling of sadness in relation to a specific situation or person, although "sad about" or "sad for" are more typical expressions. Example: "She felt sad with the news of her friend's departure."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Eyes transcendently sad — with the welling sadness of an infant.

The New Yorker

All structures were determined independently via single wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD) with Se-Met crystals.

Plosone

I can be sad with them.

The Washington Post

He sounded sad, with a slight French accent.

The New Yorker

We took up this question in the treatment of SAD with an immigrant patient.

Journal de Thérapie Comportementale et Cognitive

I looked very sad with my disheveled hair and stained blouse.

The New York Times

Ms. Hanna said she has always loved juxtaposing the sweet and sad with silly.

The New York Times - Arts

I'm sad with the result, but this was a huge  experience for our young team.

Independent

"It was typical of the whole trip," he said, his voice sad with hindsight.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

At a thirty-year remove, the video is also a little sad, with both Brown and Jackson dead.

The New Yorker

Eyes transcendently sad with the welling sadness of an infant.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using more common alternatives like "sad about" or "disappointed with" for clearer and more natural-sounding writing.

Common error

Avoid using "sad with" in formal or professional writing. While understandable, it can sound awkward. Instead, opt for phrases like "disappointed by" or "saddened by" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sad with" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a feeling of sadness related to something. Ludwig shows varied usage, suggesting it's acceptable but not always the most idiomatic choice.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically sound, the phrase "sad with" is not the most common way to express feelings of sadness in relation to something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's more typical to use alternatives like "sad about" or "disappointed with", especially in formal contexts. "Sad with" appears more frequently in News & Media sources, but its overall usage is less frequent than its alternatives. Therefore, while understandable, consider using more common phrasing for clearer and more natural communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sad about

Uses a more common preposition to express sadness concerning a specific event or situation.

saddened by

Emphasizes the action of being made sad by an event or piece of news.

disappointed with

Focuses on the feeling of unmet expectations or dissatisfaction.

unhappy with

Indicates a general state of discontent or lack of satisfaction.

sorry about

Expresses regret or sympathy regarding a situation.

dejected by

Implies a feeling of being disheartened or dispirited due to something.

grieved by

Highlights a deep sorrow or mourning caused by something.

crestfallen about

Highlights the sense of disappointment and loss of enthusiasm.

heartbroken over

Conveys a profound sense of sadness and emotional pain.

melancholy regarding

Implies a thoughtful and contemplative sadness about something.

FAQs

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

While not the most common phrasing, you can use "sad with" to express sadness in relation to something. For example: "I am "sad with" the outcome of the game."

What's a better way to say "I'm sad with"?

Instead of "I'm "sad with"", you can say "I'm "sad about"", "I'm "disappointed with"", or "I'm "unhappy with"" depending on the context.

Is "sad with" grammatically incorrect?

No, "sad with" isn't grammatically incorrect, but it is less common and can sound unnatural to native English speakers. It's often better to use alternative phrasings like ""sad about"" or "sad for".

What is the difference between "sad with" and "sad about"?

Both phrases express sadness, but ""sad about"" is more frequently used and generally preferred for expressing sadness regarding a specific event or situation, whereas "sad with" is less common and might sound awkward.