sadly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sadly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express sadness or regret about something. It is usually used at the beginning of a sentence. Example sentence: Sadly, I was unable to attend the party last night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sadly, no.

The New York Times

Sadly not.

The New York Times

Sadly, it is typical of the smears coming from those who would rather not debate policy and substance".

The Guardian

Sadly it is typical of the smears coming from those who would rather not debate policy and substance," Shapps said.

The Guardian

Sadly, not much.

The New York Times - Sports

Sadly, cricketing suicides are not rare, as David Frith's book Silence of the Heart makes plain.

The Guardian - Sport

Sadly, Pat, our supremely selfish protagonist, is the only truly fleshed-out character in the film.

The Guardian - Film

It was only a strange error that led to the historical obsession with GDP As someone who has worked on these issues for three decades, I have observed that, sadly, most people who criticise the idea of measuring happiness are handicapped by the fact they know little about the research literature on the topic.

The Guardian

They all stand up, shouting, "I'm Spartacus!" Sadly, this is not true.

The Guardian - Film

Sadly this was not the outcome that any of us were hoping for.

The Guardian

The "Brontosaurus" – a name sadly discarded – gave me my start.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sadly" to introduce a piece of information that evokes a sense of disappointment or regret. It's effective at softening bad news or expressing empathy.

Common error

Avoid using "sadly" multiple times within a short passage. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make the writing sound overly sentimental or repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sadly" is that of an adverb of manner. It modifies a verb or sentence to express how something is done or how a situation is perceived, conveying a sense of sorrow or regret. As Ludwig AI confirms, it aligns with standard grammatical rules and can effectively set the tone for subsequent information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sadly" functions as an adverb used to express regret, disappointment, or sorrow. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is predominantly found in News & Media contexts and should be used judiciously to avoid repetition. Alternatives such as "unfortunately" or "regrettably" can provide variety while conveying similar sentiments. When employing "sadly", ensure it effectively softens the impact of negative information or adds an empathetic tone without overwhelming the narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunately

Indicates regret or bad luck, similar to "sadly" but focuses more on the negative outcome.

regrettably

Expresses regret about a situation or event, sharing the sense of sorrow with "sadly".

regretfully

Similar to "regrettably", it conveys a sense of regret or disappointment.

alas

An exclamation of grief or regret; more dramatic and less commonly used than "sadly".

sorrowfully

Describes an action done in a sorrowful manner, emphasizing the feeling of sadness.

unhappily

Describes a state of unhappiness or misfortune, closely related to "sadly" in expressing a negative condition.

ruefully

Expresses regret or sorrow in a slightly humorous or ironic way.

mournfully

Indicates deep sorrow or grief, often associated with loss or death.

woefully

Emphasizes the inadequacy or poorness of something, often with a sense of sadness or disappointment.

lamentably

Expresses regret or sorrow about something considered unfortunate or deplorable.

FAQs

How can I use "sadly" in a sentence?

"Sadly" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence to express regret or disappointment about what follows. For example, "Sadly, the event was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "sadly"?

You can use alternatives like "unfortunately", "regrettably", or "alas" to express a similar sentiment depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "sadly" in formal writing?

Yes, "sadly" is appropriate for formal writing. It can add a touch of empathy or express disappointment in a professional manner. However, avoid overuse to maintain a balanced tone.

What's the difference between "sadly" and "unhappily"?

"Sadly" indicates the speaker's emotional response to a situation, while "unhappily" describes a state or condition. "Sadly" focuses on the feeling of sadness, whereas "unhappily" describes something occurring in an unhappy manner.