totally sad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally sad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of sadness or disappointment in a casual or informal context. Example: "After hearing the news about the cancellation of the concert, I felt totally sad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He seemed totally sad".

The Guardian - Music

This atmosphere of racism is totally sad.

Independent

Jacob continues, unloading a doozy of an existential realization: I know something already that most people learn only once they've reached the end of whatever personal disappointment corridor they've started on, a secret shoved way down deep into the butt pocket of the universe, which is that everything, no matter what, is totally sad and completely pointless.

The New Yorker

And that's totally sad.

Vice

How totally sad that we should dislike the person we spend our life with!

Huffington Post

Homeboy Jeff Garber was in Hum and Castor too, and those dudes were totally sad.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

I was totally unprepared for how sad it was.

The New Yorker

Aside from the obvious, a sad and totally unacceptable end to these iconic species, the disappearance of rhinos and elephants from Africa would have serious economic consequences for the continent.

Huffington Post

Sunday's debate means we're ever-closer to Tuesday's big ol' primary in the boringest state besides Delaware, New Hampshire, which is totally exciting but also sad-making.

Vice

They are all vulnerable to the same, sad (but expected and totally normal) decrease in sexual frequency and sexual enjoyment as the years pass1.

Huffington Post

He's justifiably criticized by business leaders like Wilbur Ross who said "it's very sad" that Mr. Obama "totally backed away".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using alternatives like "deeply sorrowful" or "utterly disappointed" for a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

Avoid using "totally sad" in formal writing or professional contexts. This phrase is too informal for academic papers, business reports, or official communications. Instead, opt for more sophisticated alternatives that maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally sad" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of profound sadness. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Totally sad" is an adjectival phrase used to express a strong sense of sadness or disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, though it is better suited for informal contexts. The phrase's usage is most common in news and media sources. Alternatives include "completely heartbroken", "utterly disappointed" and "deeply sorrowful" for more formal situations. When using "totally sad", consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing to ensure it aligns with the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

really depressing

Similar to incredibly depressing but less intense.

completely heartbroken

Expresses a deeper level of sorrow than "totally sad".

absolutely devastated

Conveys a sense of being overwhelmed by sadness and loss.

quite depressing

Mildly emphasizes the depressing nature.

utterly disappointed

Focuses more on disappointment than sadness, though they are related.

deeply sorrowful

A more formal and intense way of expressing sadness.

bitterly disappointed

Highlights the intense disappointment.

incredibly depressing

Emphasizes the depressing nature of a situation, causing sadness.

extremely unfortunate

Shifts the focus to the unfortunate nature of an event that causes sadness.

very unfortunate

Less emotionally charged, focusing on the bad luck aspect.

FAQs

What does "totally sad" mean?

The phrase "totally sad" means completely or utterly sad, expressing a strong feeling of unhappiness or disappointment. It is often used in informal contexts.

What can I say instead of "totally sad"?

You can use alternatives like "completely heartbroken", "utterly disappointed", or "deeply sorrowful" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "totally sad" in formal writing?

No, "totally sad" is generally considered too informal for formal writing. More appropriate alternatives for formal contexts include "deeply sorrowful" or "extremely unfortunate".

How can I use "totally sad" in a sentence?

You can use "totally sad" in a sentence like this: "After hearing the news about the cancelled event, I felt totally sad."