sadness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sadness' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an emotion or feeling of unhappiness. For example: "The sadness she felt after her pet died was overwhelming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She told me that I was sad, and that I would always be sad, but that over time it would become easier to face that sadness and accept it.

The Guardian

A statement released on behalf of his family said: "It is with great sadness and an enormous sense of shock that we announce the death of Charles Kennedy.

The Guardian

For those who knew him, the loss will be a source of both sadness and anger.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was with sadness the following morning that I said goodbye to the women and their kids, amid promises to meet up in London.

The Guardian - Travel

"The main emotion is one of sadness for Mick because he's a wonderful coach who has really been put through the ringer," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

This was what Dodd calls her "unresolved sadness" and is perhaps a key to both her intensely private nature and also the miraculous intuition of her work, in which she finds people out with her seeing eye and her camera lens.

The Guardian - Arts

Her eyes "filled with tears and she said 'I can't have it, it says they're only for boys.'" But Izzy decided not to take it lying down and, following a quick chat with her mother about gender stereotypes, she wrote to Disney to explain her sadness about how the costume was labelled.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It could also be a quiet place, still and heavy with sadness.

The Guardian

I milled among hundreds of protestors – black and white – who had gathered for different reasons: to express fury, sadness, a desire for reform.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tighe's lament was echoed by others in Ross, Skye and Lochaber, a sadness reminiscent of that which followed the surprise death of the Labour leader John Smith in 1994.

The Guardian

"That is the sadness of being human today.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sadness" to describe a state or emotion of being unhappy, distinguishing it from more intense emotions like grief or despair.

Common error

Avoid using "sadness" as a direct substitute for clinical depression. While prolonged sadness can be a symptom, depression is a complex condition requiring professional diagnosis and treatment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sadness" is as a noun. It refers to a state or emotion, serving as a subject or object in sentences. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing feelings or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Arts

5%

Business

3%

Film

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sadness" is a commonly used noun to describe a feeling of unhappiness. As noted by Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and widely applicable. With examples sourced primarily from news and media, alongside lifestyle and sports contexts, "sadness" conveys a neutral tone suitable for various communications. For alternatives, you might consider "sorrow", "unhappiness", or "grief" depending on the specific emotional intensity. Use "sadness" to describe a state of being unhappy, while remembering not to confuse it with clinical depression. By understanding the contexts and nuances of "sadness", you can effectively communicate emotions in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sorrow

A more formal and intense expression of grief or regret.

unhappiness

A general term for not being happy; less intense than "sadness".

grief

Intense sorrow, especially caused by someone's death.

gloom

Describes a state of depression or despondency.

melancholy

A thoughtful sadness, often with a touch of nostalgia.

despair

Indicates a complete loss of hope.

woe

Expresses great sorrow or distress.

heartache

Emotional distress or grief.

misery

A state of great suffering and unhappiness.

anguish

Severe mental or physical suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "sadness" in a sentence?

You can use "sadness" to describe a state or emotion. For example, "The overwhelming "sadness" consumed her after the news" or "There was a palpable "sadness" in her voice".

What words are similar to "sadness"?

Similar words include "sorrow", "unhappiness", "grief", and "melancholy". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a sadness"?

Yes, it is correct to use "sadness" as a countable noun when referring to a specific instance or event that causes sadness. For example, "She has experienced many "sadnesses" in her life".

What's the difference between "sadness" and "depression"?

"Sadness" is a normal human emotion in response to disappointment or loss. "Depression", however, is a persistent mental health condition characterized by prolonged sadness, loss of interest, and other symptoms that significantly impact daily life.