sense of hopelessness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of hopelessness" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are discussing a feeling of despair, lack of motivation, or despair. For example, "The economic crisis caused many people to feel a sense of hopelessness about their financial situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The situation seemed hopeless — and this sense of hopelessness gave an opening to the American insurgents.

The New Yorker

There's a sense of hopelessness... the system makes people feel hopeless and redundant.

The Guardian

Schoolwork often triggered a sense of hopelessness.

The New Yorker

A sense of hopelessness pervaded the country.

The New Yorker

There's a sense of hopelessness.

The Guardian - Arts

"There's a sense of hopelessness," he laments.

The Economist

"To have such a sense of hopelessness, bleakness.

The Guardian

After that, his work reflected his sense of hopelessness".

The New York Times

"People were walking around aimlessly, conveying a sense of hopelessness.

The Guardian

Likewise, I sympathise with their recurrent sense of hopelessness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Both have relied on a general sense of hopelessness and mutual revulsion.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sense of hopelessness", ensure the context clearly establishes the cause or source of the feeling. For example, specify if it's due to economic hardship, personal loss, or social injustice.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of hopelessness" as a standalone phrase without providing specific details about what is causing this feeling. Instead of saying "There was a sense of hopelessness", specify "The prolonged unemployment created a "sense of hopelessness" among the community members".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of hopelessness" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use in expressing a feeling of despair or lack of motivation. The phrase often describes a pervasive feeling affecting individuals or groups.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of hopelessness" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase expressing a state of despair or lack of positive expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's best to provide clear context to what is causing the feeling. Alternatives include "feeling of despair", "lack of optimism", and "absence of hope". The phrase holds a neutral register, fitting well in both formal and informal communication, though overuse without specific details should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of hope

Directly negates the presence of hope.

feeling of despair

Replaces "hopelessness" with "despair", focusing on the emotional state.

feeling of futility

Emphasizes the lack of purpose or effect.

despairing outlook

Focuses on a pessimistic view of the future.

air of despondency

Shifts from a personal feeling to an atmosphere or general mood.

bleak perspective

Highlights the grim or unfavorable nature of the situation.

state of discouragement

Focuses on the disheartened state of mind.

lack of optimism

Highlights the absence of positive expectations.

loss of faith

Indicates a decline in belief or trust.

crushing disappointment

Emphasizes the intensity and impact of the failure to meet expectations.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "sense of hopelessness" in a sentence?

To effectively use "sense of hopelessness", ensure you provide context that explains the reason behind this feeling. For instance, "The constant failures led to a "sense of hopelessness"". Alternatively, consider phrases like "feeling of despair" or "lack of optimism" /s/lack+of+optimism for variety.

What are some alternatives to "sense of hopelessness"?

You can use alternatives such as "feeling of futility", "absence of hope", or "despairing outlook", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The best choice depends on the particular context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a sense of hopeless" instead of "sense of hopelessness"?

No, "a sense of hopeless" is grammatically incorrect. "Hopelessness" is a noun, and you need a noun after "sense of". "Hopeless" is an adjective, and the correct form is ""sense of hopelessness"".

How does "sense of hopelessness" differ from "sense of despair"?

"Sense of hopelessness" implies a lack of expectation for positive outcomes, while "sense of despair" suggests a deeper emotional distress and loss of hope. Despair often carries a stronger feeling of anguish than hopelessness.