truly sad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "truly sad" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express strong sadness for a particular situation or person. For example, "It is truly sad to see so many people out of work due to the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's truly sad.

The Guardian - Film

How truly sad is that?

The New Yorker

That's what is truly sad.

The Guardian - Books

"It's been an ongoing issue, and it's just been truly sad," she said.

The New York Times

I was truly sad, but it was something I could laugh about.

The New Yorker

What's truly sad is that he did this to make a buck.

The New York Times

Thank you for Peggy Orenstein's truly sad but wonderfully written piece on the death of California's educational dream.

The New York Times

"This is truly sad," said Nabil Dajani, a professor of media studies at the American University of Beirut.

The New York Times

Maybe the movie's only truly sad message is that nothing lasts - Saturday at 5 p.m. on TNN.

The New York Times

Among the truly sad news of Monday, however, was the death of North Carolina State basketball hero Lorenzo Charles in a bus crash.

The New York Times - Sports

The video, which was released last month, has been viewed more than 235,000 on YouTube, with users describing the tweets as "sickening" and "truly sad".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "truly sad", consider the emotional impact you want to create. It is most effective when conveying genuine empathy or concern about a specific situation or person.

Common error

Avoid using "truly sad" for minor inconveniences or insignificant events. Overusing it can diminish its impact when describing genuinely serious situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "truly sad" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a significant degree of sadness or sorrow. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to convey a strong emotional response to a situation or event. For example, "It's "truly sad"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "truly sad" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a significant level of sadness or sorrow. According to Ludwig AI, it effectively communicates empathy and concern, making it suitable for various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, "truly sad" is a neutral expression that should be used judiciously to avoid diminishing its impact in genuinely serious situations. Alternatives such as ""heartbreaking"" or ""deeply sorrowful"" can offer nuanced ways to convey similar emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heartbreaking

Focuses on the emotional pain caused by a situation.

genuinely unhappy

Focuses on the internal feeling of unhappiness, rather than an external cause.

distressing

Highlights the anxiety and worry caused by something.

deeply sorrowful

Emphasizes a profound level of grief or mourning.

tragic

Implies a serious and often devastating event.

very unfortunate

Highlights the negative consequences or bad luck associated with a situation.

utterly regrettable

Stresses the feeling of wishing something had not happened.

grievous

Indicates severe suffering, loss, or hardship.

deplorable

Expresses strong disapproval and regret about a situation.

lamentable

Expresses regret or disappointment about something.

FAQs

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

You can use "truly sad" to express a deep sense of sorrow or disappointment about a situation. For example, "It is "truly sad" to see so many people struggling with poverty."

What are some alternatives to "truly sad"?

Alternatives to "truly sad" include "heartbreaking", "deeply sorrowful", or "very unfortunate". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "truly sad" is appropriate in formal writing when expressing genuine sorrow or concern. However, consider the tone and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall message.

What's the difference between "truly sad" and "a little sad"?

"Truly sad" conveys a strong and sincere feeling of sadness, while "a little sad" implies a milder, less intense emotion. The choice depends on the degree of sadness you want to express.