sheer pride

USAGE SUMMARY

'sheer pride' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiom that refers to a strong emotion, often involving feelings of joy, satisfaction, or accomplishment. For example: "After months of hard work, he felt sheer pride when he was awarded the scholarship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

By Tuesday, the initial disappointment had turned to sheer pride.

The New York Times

"The sheer pride of a father for his son was palpable".

The Guardian

"In terms of sheer pride," the 2008 crash was "a godsend for the poor Masters of the Universe".

The New York Times

In movement, in ball skills, in sheer pride of performance, these are the standard-bearers of world soccer.

The New York Times - Sports

When Alistair Brownlee won gold in the triathlon earlier today, trumping his younger brother Jonny who received the bronze, he showed elation, relief, and sheer pride.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thucydides describes the splendid flotilla, for which publicly and privately no expense had been grudged, racing from Athens as far as Aegina out of sheer pride, joy, and enthusiasm.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It is the sheer lack of pride: the rubbish strewn outside the back entrance, the blocked drain that gushed soapy water across the concourse behind the pavilion, the squalor of fag ends and assorted rubbish, the toilets that did not flush last year and predictably did not flush this.

The Guardian - Sport

We will cheer with enthusiasm, pride, and sheer joy as you formally begin your Princeton adventure a few minutes from now by walking into campus through the FitzRandolph Gate.

Princeton University

"We've brought that pride and sheer determination to succeed for a whole nation, not just yourself and your family". "It's a great environment to be involved with and it's one I'm very proud to have played a part in.

BBC

The pride and sheer joy amongst our colleagues was contagious.

Huffington Post

Some publications, like the American Advocate of Peace, decried the dreadnought purchase for its cost, calling it "a showy and pretentious naval policy seemingly for the sheer indulgence of national pride" and continuing with "[sinking] money into useless warships when, it is understood, foreign money has had to be borrowed for city improvements in Rio de Janeiro is pitiful politics".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer pride" to emphasize a strong, unadulterated feeling of pride, often resulting from a significant achievement or success. For example, "The team felt sheer pride after winning the championship."

Common error

Avoid using "sheer pride" when a weaker term like "great pride" would suffice. "Sheer" intensifies the feeling, implying it's overwhelming or particularly strong.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer pride" functions as an emotional descriptor, modifying the noun 'pride' with the adjective 'sheer' to emphasize the intensity and purity of the feeling. This is supported by Ludwig's examples that showcases how this phrase functions to describe a palpable sentiment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer pride" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a strong and unadulterated feeling of pride. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media. Use "sheer pride" to emphasize the depth and intensity of the emotion. Alternatives such as "unadulterated joy" or "pure elation" may be considered to convey different nuances. Remember that 'sheer' intensifies the feeling, implying it's overwhelming or particularly strong. To ensure accuracy, consider reviewing the sources and examples provided by Ludwig before incorporating it into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unadulterated joy

Replaces pride with joy, emphasizing the happiness aspect; it is less about accomplishment.

unmitigated satisfaction

Emphasizes contentment and fulfillment, removing the element of outward display or achievement often associated with pride.

complete gratification

Focuses on the feeling of being pleased and satisfied, distancing from the performance or achievement aspect present in "sheer pride".

overwhelming satisfaction

Replaces pride with satisfaction, intensifying the feeling of contentment.

genuine satisfaction

Emphasizes the authenticity of the feeling of contentment, removing focus from performance or status

pure elation

Focuses on intense happiness and exhilaration, shifting away from the sense of accomplishment inherent in "sheer pride".

absolute delight

Highlights the pleasure and enjoyment experienced, minimizing the sense of personal accomplishment implied by "sheer pride".

utter fulfillment

Stresses the sense of completeness and satisfaction, reducing the emphasis on outward achievement typically linked to "sheer pride".

profound contentment

Highlights a deep sense of peace and happiness, moving away from the achievement-oriented aspect of "sheer pride".

intense pleasure

Shifts the focus to enjoyment and gratification, de-emphasizing accomplishment.

FAQs

How can I use "sheer pride" in a sentence?

You can use "sheer pride" to describe a strong feeling of accomplishment or satisfaction, as in, "She felt "sheer pride" watching her daughter graduate".

What are some alternatives to "sheer pride"?

Alternatives include "unadulterated joy", "pure elation", or "overwhelming satisfaction", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "sheer pride" or "great pride"?

"Sheer pride" and "great pride" are both correct, but they convey slightly different intensities. "Sheer pride" suggests a more intense, almost overwhelming feeling than "great pride".

In what contexts is "sheer pride" most appropriate?

"Sheer pride" is suitable in contexts where there's been a significant achievement or a moment of exceptional satisfaction. It is often used in news articles, personal narratives, and celebratory speeches.