utterly sad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly sad" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is extremely and deeply sad. For example, "The news of their breakup was utterly sad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I flew home in late July, utterly sad to be leaving.

The Guardian - Travel

It was an utterly sad state of affairs.

Forbes

How utterly sad.

Huffington Post

This is laughable if it weren't utterly sad.

Huffington Post

Can you picture how utterly sad that image is?

Vice

Despite all signs pointing to the contrary, he is not born to be wild; James Hurley is, in fact, utterly sad to the bone.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

She characterized the mood of her colleagues as ranging from "utterly dumbfounded, to sad, to angry".

The New Yorker

Exhausted, a little sad, utterly satisfied, he cradled a championship trophy in his arms.

Los Angeles Times

If you aren't sad, even utterly depressed, at the gut-wrenching environmental and social destruction going on all over planet Earth, something is up.

The Guardian

For an instant, the fact that I am here but don't know how or why seems at the same time hilarious, achingly sad, and utterly wonderful.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Titanic: Voices from the BBC Archives, with commentary by Tim Pigott-Smith (2hrs, BBC, £12.99) Even if you feel you've heard it all, this collection of stories from survivors is utterly mesmerising and so sad.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly sad" to emphasize a deep feeling of sadness, especially when describing situations or events that evoke strong emotions. Ensure the context warrants such a strong descriptor.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly sad" in everyday situations where a milder term like "a little sad" or "disappointed" would suffice. Overusing strong descriptors can dilute their impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly sad" functions as an intensifier ("utterly") modifying an adjective ("sad"). It emphasizes the depth and intensity of the sadness being described. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly sad" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey a strong feeling of sorrow. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is correct and usable in written English. Its use is most common in news and media, where emotional impact is often emphasized. While versatile, remember that "utterly sad" is a strong expression and might not always be appropriate. Consider less intense alternatives like "completely dejected" or "deeply sorrowful" depending on the context. Avoid overuse in casual scenarios to maintain its impact when truly needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely dejected

Replaces "sad" with "dejected" emphasizing a state of low spirits and discouragement and replaces "utterly" with "completely".

totally heartbroken

Replaces "sad" with "heartbroken", focusing on emotional distress and grief, and replaces "utterly" with "totally".

deeply sorrowful

Uses the more formal "sorrowful" instead of "sad", suggesting a profound sense of grief and replaces "utterly" with "deeply".

profoundly unhappy

Substitutes "sad" with "unhappy", indicating a general lack of well-being and replaces "utterly" with "profoundly".

absolutely crestfallen

Replaces "sad" with "crestfallen", highlighting disappointment and discouragement and replaces "utterly" with "absolutely".

extremely melancholic

Uses the more nuanced "melancholic" instead of "sad", suggesting a reflective sadness, and replaces "utterly" with "extremely".

bitterly disappointed

Focuses on the disappointment aspect of sadness, highlighting a sense of frustration, and replaces "utterly" with "bitterly".

terribly distressed

Emphasizes the anxiety and suffering associated with sadness, replacing "sad" with "distressed" and "utterly" with "terribly".

woefully inadequate

Shifts the focus to a feeling of inadequacy contributing to the sadness replacing the word "sad" and "utterly" all together, implying a deficiency that causes sorrow.

hopelessly pessimistic

Shifts the focus to a feeling of hopelessness and lack of optimism that contributes to the sadness replacing the word "sad" and "utterly" all together.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly sad" to describe something that causes deep sorrow, like "The news of the closing of the local library was "utterly sad"".

What are some alternatives to saying "utterly sad"?

Alternatives include "deeply sorrowful", "completely dejected", or "totally heartbroken", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "utterly sad" too strong of a phrase to use in formal writing?

While "utterly sad" is acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "profoundly unhappy" or "deeply sorrowful" for a more subdued tone. Choose the phrase that best fits the overall tone and purpose of your writing.

What's the difference between "utterly sad" and "slightly sad"?

"Utterly sad" indicates a very intense and profound feeling of sadness, while "slightly sad" suggests a mild level of sadness or disappointment. The degree of intensity is the key difference.