sorrow over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sorrow over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express feelings of sadness or regret regarding a specific event or situation. Example: "She felt deep sorrow over the loss of her beloved pet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The council expressed "sorrow" over the situation.

The New York Times

They have much anxiety, pain, and sorrow over their love.

The Guardian - Books

Once again, we share your sorrow over Mr. Couso's death.

The New York Times

We cannot begin to express our sorrow over her loss.

The New York Times

Lament, a nonnarrative poem expressing deep grief or sorrow over a personal loss.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The rest of the day is clouded by Mary's sorrow over the lion.

The New Yorker

Israel's foreign ministry expressed deep sorrow over Mr Nisman's death, the Associated Press reported.

Independent

The shooting, and those that followed, cast a pall of fear and sorrow over the city.

The New York Times

Employees honored Parker's values by doing their best work, while sharing their sorrow over his leukemia.

Harvard Business Review

Onaga told reporters in Okinawa that he felt "extreme sorrow" over the incident.

The Washington Post

Around Fox Lake, residents expressed their own sorrow over the death of the immensely popular Gliniewicz.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While "sorrow over" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "grief regarding" might be suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "sorrow over" in overly casual or informal settings. Simpler phrases like "sad about" or "upset by" might be more appropriate for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorrow over" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase expressing a feeling of sadness or regret directed toward a specific event, situation, or person. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It often follows verbs like 'express', 'feel', or 'share'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sorrow over" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that expresses sadness or regret about a specific event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used across various contexts, but it's particularly common in news and media. While acceptable in most situations, simpler alternatives may be more suitable for informal conversations. When using "sorrow over", ensure it aligns with the overall tone and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regret concerning

Replaces "sorrow" with "regret" and "over" with "concerning", maintaining a formal tone.

sadness about

Substitutes "sorrow" with the more common "sadness" and "over" with "about", making it slightly less formal.

grief regarding

Uses "grief" to emphasize a deeper sorrow and "regarding" in place of "over", which can be used in more formal settings.

lament for

Replaces "sorrow" with "lament", indicating a public expression of grief, and uses "for" instead of "over".

mourning the loss of

Focuses on the act of mourning a loss, which implies sorrow but is more specific.

deploring the situation

Shifts the focus to expressing strong disapproval and sorrow about a situation.

feeling remorse for

Indicates a sense of guilt and sorrow for something done wrong.

anguish concerning

Emphasizes intense mental or physical suffering related to something.

distress about

Expresses a state of great suffering or worry about something.

heartache for

Implies a deep emotional pain or grief, often associated with loss or disappointment.

FAQs

How can I use "sorrow over" in a sentence?

Use "sorrow over" to express sadness or regret about a specific event or situation. For instance, "The community expressed their sorrow over the recent tragedy".

What can I say instead of "sorrow over"?

You can use alternatives like "regret concerning", "sadness about", or "grief regarding" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sorrow over" or "sorrow about"?

Both "sorrow over" and "sorrow about" are grammatically correct, but "sorrow over" often implies a deeper or more formal sense of regret than "sorrow about".

What's the difference between "sorrow over" and "mourning the loss of"?

"Sorrow over" is a general expression of sadness or regret, while "mourning the loss of" specifically refers to the grieving process after a death or significant loss.