sorrowful time

USAGE SUMMARY

"sorrowful time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a specific period of time that is filled with sorrow, loss, and sadness. For example, "We are living through a sorrowful time, marked by the pandemic and the loss of so many lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

May their shared memories bring comfort and solace at this sorrowful time.

The New York Times

"It's not a sad or sorrowful time in Buddhism because you will be reborn wherever your karma takes you.

The New York Times

The musical starts with Joyce's unexpected death in 1941, then flashes back to Dublin in the early 1900s, a sorrowful time in his youth, with his dying mother and blustering father.

The New York Times

It was a cruel and sorrowful time.She returned later to find Gazans picking themselves back up, though increasingly under the sombre shadow of Hamas, the Islamist party that governs the strip.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Especially during sorrowful times, it's good to let loose," he says.

The New York Times

And in the middle of this mundane street scene yesterday morning was a jetliner engine, sitting like a metallic meteor behind the fire-charred house at 414 Beach 128th Street to remind the boy, the woman and everyone else that they live in anxious and sorrowful times, times in which it seems the bluest of skies cannot be trusted.

The New York Times

I look up at the winter sky, as I did each evening as my sister lay dying, and think again how frail we all are in face of the power and remorselessness of elemental nature: there is no thought more appropriate in these sorrowful times.

The Guardian

A boy was preparing tobacco in an alyān, a variant of the Arabic hookah with a straight wooden pipe and an almost hysterically sorrowful old-time Persian tune played though the cafe's crackling speakers.

The Guardian - Travel

What really resonates in the book, what makes it so sorrowful at times, is Hamilton's evocation of all the young and old hopefuls who have just enough ambition to push their lives past the point of no return.

The New York Times - Books

Peter Diamond, a professor of economics at M.I.T. and president of the 18,000-member American Economic Association, cannot recall an academic hiring spree of such dimensions in the field -- let alone one that unfolded in sorrowful budgetary times for American universities.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mine is a life, filled with such little moments — at times joyful, at other times sorrowful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sorrowful time" to describe periods marked by widespread grief, loss, or hardship, emphasizing the emotional impact. For example, it can be used to describe the aftermath of a natural disaster or a period of economic depression.

Common error

Avoid using "sorrowful time" in everyday conversation or informal writing. The phrase carries a significant weight of sadness and is best reserved for situations of genuine grief or widespread hardship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorrowful time" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "sorrowful" modifies the noun "time". It describes a specific period characterized by sadness, grief, or mourning. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sorrowful time" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a period marked by significant sadness or grief. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, though its frequency is rare. Predominantly found in news and media, it carries a neutral to formal tone. While alternatives like "time of grief" or "difficult period" exist, "sorrowful time" specifically emphasizes the emotional weight of sadness. It is best used to describe widespread grief and loss. To make the writing more effective avoid the overuse of this phrase in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time of grief

Focuses specifically on the emotion of grief experienced during that period.

difficult period

Emphasizes the challenges and hardships faced during the time.

sad occasion

Highlights the event or situation that causes sorrow.

tragic era

Implies a broader, more widespread sorrow affecting many people.

unhappy chapter

Presents the time as a distinct and unfortunate part of a larger narrative.

period of mourning

Specifically refers to the time of bereavement after a loss.

dark days

Emphasizes the negativity and hardship of the time.

era of hardship

Highlights the struggles and difficulties experienced by many.

time of affliction

Focuses on suffering and distress.

desolate era

Implies a sense of emptiness, abandonment, and despair.

FAQs

How can I use "sorrowful time" in a sentence?

You can use "sorrowful time" to describe periods marked by grief and loss. For example, "The nation mourned during that "sorrowful time" after the tragedy".

What are some alternatives to "sorrowful time"?

Alternatives to "sorrowful time" include phrases like "time of grief", "difficult period", or "sad occasion", depending on the context.

Is "sorrowful time" formal or informal?

"Sorrowful time" leans toward formal usage, best suited for serious or somber contexts. It's less appropriate for casual conversations.

What makes "sorrowful time" different from "difficult time"?

"Sorrowful time" emphasizes the emotional weight of sadness and grief, whereas "difficult time" highlights the challenges and hardships experienced. The former is more specific to emotional distress.