sorrowfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sorrowfully" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of sadness or regret in various contexts, often to describe how someone is feeling or acting. Example: "She looked at him sorrowfully, knowing that their time together was coming to an end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Israel he imagines, beautifully and sorrowfully, is not going to be saved by any divine intervention.

The Economist

It held Barcelona, the Catalan capital, won a huge majority in the backwater region of Castile-La Mancha, and retook the regions of Extremadura and Aragon.But El País, the country's leading left-of-centre newspaper, said sorrowfully that Mr Zapatero, in his first nationwide campaign, had failed to capitalise on Mr Aznar's woes.

The Economist

In what appeared almost a bid to secure some headlines of his own, he added sorrowfully: "What we are lacking at the moment is a sense of leadership and direction.

The Economist

Mr Krauthammer came up with an idea in the column linked above that the Senate could ask for supporting material from Ms Miers' time at the White House, she could sorrowfully decline, citing executive privilege, and everyone would shrug sadly and say, sorry it didn't work out, no harm, no foul.

The Economist

AS ANY environmentalist will sorrowfully tell you, Africa's forests are disappearing at terrible speed.

The Economist

Yet his decision to die was reported sympathetically, though sorrowfully, even in Rochester's local Catholic newspaper.Disapproval of Mr White's choice was far more muted than might have been expected in most western societies a generation ago.

The Economist

The first is that my blood is up, and the second is that I am swiftly moving beyond a deadline for an article that is currently lying open and sorrowfully untended elsewhere on my laptop.

Independent

Schwitters hadn't wanted to leave for England – "Do you remember it, our beloved Hjertoya?" he wrote sorrowfully to Helma from internment on the Isle of Man – but the German invasion of Norway in 1940 forced him to flee.

Independent

Mr Ghanem recalls sorrowfully that "my son Mohannad was taken to a juvenile offenders' prison and held there for two weeks".

Independent

Now, in the Peele Castle stanzas, he sorrowfully looked back on the light as illusory, as a "Poet's dream," as "the light that never was, on sea or land".

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I thought for a moment you might be she," he says sorrowfully, as she kicks off her pumps and peels down her stockings.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sorrowfully" to vividly describe actions or expressions that are filled with sadness or regret, creating a more impactful and emotional narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "sorrowfully" in contexts that are already heavily laden with sentimentality. Overusing it can make the writing sound melodramatic or insincere. Opt for a more subtle expression of sadness when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "sorrowfully" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action is performed or a state is experienced with sorrow. Ludwig AI examples show it describing actions like "looked", "said", and "shook his head", adding emotional depth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sorrowfully" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverb that effectively conveys a sense of sadness or regret. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it is most often found in news and media sources, and can be used to add emotional depth to writing. While "sorrowfully" is a powerful word, avoid overuse in overly sentimental contexts. Alternatives like "sadly", "regretfully", and "mournfully" offer subtle variations in meaning, allowing for precise expression of emotion. Remember to consider the context to determine if a less intense adjective such as "sad" is better to use. Overall, understanding the nuances and proper application of "sorrowfully" will enhance your writing and communication skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sadly

Indicates a general feeling of unhappiness or regret, less intense than "sorrowfully".

regretfully

Emphasizes the feeling of regret or remorse associated with an action or situation.

mournfully

Suggests a deeper sense of grief and lamentation, more profound than "sorrowfully".

dolefully

Implies a gloomy or melancholic manner, often associated with a long-lasting sadness.

wistfully

Conveys a longing or yearning for something lost or unattainable, adding a touch of nostalgia.

ruefully

Expresses regret mixed with a hint of amusement or self-deprecation.

dejectedly

Describes a state of being disheartened or dispirited, focusing on the emotional state.

with sorrow

A more explicit and less nuanced way to express the feeling of sorrow.

gloomily

Focuses on the pessimistic or somber atmosphere associated with sorrow.

melancholically

Highlights the pensive and contemplative nature of sorrow.

FAQs

How can I use "sorrowfully" in a sentence?

You can use "sorrowfully" to describe how someone performs an action with sorrow. For example, "She looked at the old photograph "sadly"/"sorrowfully", remembering her childhood."

What are some alternatives to "sorrowfully"?

Some alternatives to "sorrowfully" include "sadly", "regretfully", "mournfully", and "dolefully". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "sorrowfully" or "sadly"?

Both "sorrowfully" and "sadly" are correct, but "sorrowfully" implies a deeper sense of grief and regret than "sadly". Choose the word that best fits the intensity of the emotion you want to express.

What is the difference between "sorrowfully" and "wistfully"?

"Sorrowfully" expresses a deep sense of sadness and regret, while "wistfully" conveys a longing or yearning for something lost or unattainable. "Sorrowfully" focuses on present pain, while "wistfully" looks back with a mix of longing and sadness.