truly depressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "truly depressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the extent of sadness or disappointment regarding a situation or event. Example: "The news of the company's closure was truly depressing for all the employees who had dedicated years of their lives to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It's truly depressing.

University of California, Berkeley

Banksy has created something truly depressing.

The Guardian - Arts

Some of what goes on is truly depressing.

The New York Times - Magazine

But we have seen our daily lives hopelessly deteriorating, and after Maria, everything around us is truly depressing.

The Washington Post

But his reaction, and the propensity of some – and it is only some – Liverpudlians to get outraged at every little bit of criticism of the city, is truly depressing.

Independent

That would be truly depressing.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

He said he was never truly depressed about the course his career had taken.

The New York Times - Sports

If your friend is truly depressed so much that you are concerned, suggest they see a counselor if needed.

WikiHow

It is truly amazing (or possibly depressing) how much time it's possible to spend reading an article from February 1994 about how much the lead singer of Lush enjoys a pint of cider.

Independent

I watch the news and it truly saddens and depresses me because it's madness over there, a mix of religion and politics that is very complicated, [it's] like a bomb.

Huffington Post

Be prepared, some Gothic guys are just acting Gothic, some are truly down and depressed.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more nuanced description, consider alternative phrases like "genuinely disheartening" or "deeply discouraging", which convey similar sentiments with slightly varied emotional impact.

Common error

Avoid using "truly depressing" in situations that are mildly disappointing or only slightly inconvenient. Overusing such strong language can diminish its impact when describing genuinely serious or upsetting circumstances. Reserve it for situations that warrant a significant emotional response.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "truly depressing" functions as an intensifier (adverb "truly") modifying an adjective ("depressing"). It serves to amplify the degree or extent of the feeling described by the adjective. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "truly depressing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for emphasizing the depth of sadness or discouragement. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English to highlight situations causing significant negative emotions. While versatile, it's best reserved for contexts where the gravity of the situation warrants such strong language. Consider alternatives like "genuinely disheartening" or "deeply discouraging" for slightly milder expressions. Its common occurrence in news and media, as shown by Ludwig, underscores its role in conveying impactful emotional narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely disheartening

Replaces "depressing" with "disheartening" maintaining a similar level of intensity but softening the emotional impact.

deeply discouraging

Focuses on the discouraging aspect of the situation, suggesting a loss of hope or motivation.

utterly demoralizing

Emphasizes the complete loss of morale or spirit, indicating a more profound effect.

really upsetting

Substitutes "depressing" with "upsetting", conveying a sense of emotional disturbance.

extremely saddening

Replaces "depressing" with "saddening", focusing on the feeling of sorrow or unhappiness.

incredibly disappointing

Highlights the disappointment caused by the situation, rather than the sadness.

very disheartening

Similar to "genuinely disheartening" but with a slightly less formal tone.

thoroughly discouraging

Similar to "deeply discouraging" but emphasizing the completeness of the discouragement.

absolutely crushing

Indicates an overwhelming sense of defeat or devastation.

quite upsetting

A less intense version of "really upsetting", suitable for milder situations.

FAQs

How can I use "truly depressing" in a sentence?

You can use "truly depressing" to describe something that causes significant sadness or discouragement. For example, "The news of the factory closing was truly depressing for the entire community."

What are some alternatives to saying "truly depressing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "genuinely disheartening", "deeply discouraging", or "utterly demoralizing".

Is it appropriate to use "truly depressing" in formal writing?

Yes, "truly depressing" is appropriate in formal writing when describing a situation that warrants strong emotion, such as in news reports or academic analyses. However, consider the tone and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall message.

What makes "truly depressing" different from "slightly depressing"?

"Truly depressing" emphasizes the profound and intense nature of the sadness or discouragement, whereas "slightly depressing" suggests a milder and less impactful feeling. The choice depends on the degree of emotional response you want to convey.