trough of despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trough of despair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a low point or a period of deep sadness or hopelessness in someone's life or situation. Example: "After losing his job, he felt like he was in a trough of despair, unsure of how to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I was in a trough of despair".

The New York Times - Tech

She writes poignantly that "this trough of despair shall not, I swear, engulf me".

The Guardian - Books

But if you lift your head from the trough of despair, there's another picture of this country today.

The Guardian

A peak of joy would be followed by a trough of despair, he said, sketching this national disaster in the air with a long finger.

The New Yorker

For those who saw this as the beginning of a hype cycle for electric vehicles, with the government and the media inflating the market's expectations, the past year has represented the low point: the "trough of despair," as John German, a senior fellow at the International Council on Clean Transportation, put it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But there are troughs of despair.

The Guardian - Books

There's a wavelike emotional geography in building any boat: crests of pride and elation, followed by troughs of despair.

The New York Times

Quizzes, we know from our pubs and our holiday camps and our grey drizzly days on the last day of school at the end of an autumn term, are friendly affairs, a battle of wits: winners experiencing only tiny spikes of joy; losers only shallow troughs of despair.

Vice

"Ricky" is quick to fall into a trough of judgmental despair.

The Guardian - Books

"The grocer of despair".

The New York Times

These are statements of despair".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trough of despair" when you want to emphasize a deep and prolonged period of sadness or hopelessness, often following a significant setback or disappointment.

Common error

Avoid using "trough of despair" to describe fleeting moments of sadness. This phrase denotes a more profound and enduring state of hopelessness. For example, experiencing a temporary sadness over a bad grade is not a "trough of despair".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trough of despair" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes a state or condition, typically a period of intense sadness and hopelessness. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing personal and societal downturns.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trough of despair" is used to describe a period of deep sadness or hopelessness. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While the phrase is not as common as other expressions of sadness, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. This guide offers insights into its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and appropriate usage, providing writers with the tools to use the phrase effectively and avoid common pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depths of despondency

Replaces "trough" with "depths" and "despair" with "despondency", altering the imagery while retaining the core meaning of profound sadness.

pit of hopelessness

Substitutes "trough" with "pit" and "despair" with "hopelessness", conveying a similar sense of being trapped in a negative emotional state.

abyss of sadness

Replaces "trough" with "abyss" and "despair" with "sadness", intensifying the feeling of being overwhelmed by negative emotions.

valley of tears

Uses a more metaphorical and poetic expression to describe a period of great sorrow and suffering.

dark night of the soul

A more figurative and spiritual term for a period of intense spiritual or emotional crisis.

low point of dejection

Focuses on the idea of reaching a low point, replacing "despair" with "dejection" to soften the emotional intensity.

period of gloom

Simplifies the phrase to a general expression of sadness and negativity, losing some of the depth of "despair".

state of discouragement

Emphasizes the loss of hope and motivation, rather than the intense sadness of despair.

time of misery

A broad term for a period of suffering or unhappiness, lacking the specific connotation of despair.

bout of depression

Refers to a clinical condition, which may be related to despair but is not a direct synonym.

FAQs

How can I use "trough of despair" in a sentence?

You can use "trough of despair" to describe a low point in someone's life, for example: "After the company failed, he found himself in a "trough of despair", unsure of how to proceed."

What phrases are similar to "trough of despair"?

Similar phrases include "pit of despair", "valley of despair", or "depths of despondency". These all refer to a state of deep sadness or hopelessness.

Is it appropriate to use "trough of despair" in formal writing?

Yes, "trough of despair" can be used in formal writing, although it's important to consider the tone and audience. It's appropriate when describing a significant period of hardship or hopelessness in a serious context.

What's the difference between "trough of despair" and "feeling sad"?

"Feeling sad" is a general term for unhappiness, while "trough of despair" indicates a more profound, prolonged, and debilitating state of hopelessness. It's a deeper and more intense experience than simply feeling sad.