vast sadness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vast sadness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep or overwhelming feeling of sorrow or grief. Example: "After hearing the news of her passing, I was engulfed in a vast sadness that I couldn't shake off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"There is a moment of regret, followed by vast sadness.

The Guardian - Sport

"There is a moment of regret followed by vast sadness," he writes of the drug-taking experience.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When you are adrift in a vast sea of sadness, acknowledge the sadness.

Huffington Post

I remember Peter Cook's hilarious memorial service, when there was a vast outpouring of laughter, sadness and, above all, warmth.

Independent

It read as follows: "This much I'm reasonably certain of, that there are much worse emotions to have to live with than sadness, however vast and deep that sadness might be.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Isn't it always the heart that wants to wash the elephant, begging the body to do it with soap and water, a ladder, hands, in tree shade big enough for the vast savannas of your sadness, the strangler fig of your guilt, the cratered full moon's light fuelling the windy spooling memory of elephant?

The New Yorker

by Sharon Levy Isn't it always the heart that wants to wash the elephant, begging the body to do it with soap and water, a ladder, hands, in tree shade big enough for the vast savannas of your sadness, the strangler fig of your guilt, the cratered full moon's light fuelling the windy spooling memory of elephant?

The New Yorker

Despite the pain, sadness and vast emotional upheaval depicted here, "Bridegroom" is also a movie filled with hope and passion, dignity and pride, and many stirring pockets of joy.

Los Angeles Times

But in the old black neighborhoods in a new-looking city of downtown skyscrapers and vast suburban sprawl, there is a sadness too severe, too profound, to correct with a courtroom, and a pain as new as yesterday.

The New York Times

There exist a vast array of human emotions, ranging from joy to sadness, disgust to excitement, and regret to satisfaction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the days following an assault, the person can experience a vast array of emotions from anger to guilt, to sadness and shame, or fear and numbness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing personal feelings, using "vast sadness" can effectively convey the depth and intensity of the emotion to your reader, making your writing more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "vast sadness" in overly casual or informal contexts. It can sound melodramatic if the situation doesn't warrant such a strong expression of grief. Consider less intense alternatives like "sadness" or "unhappiness" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vast sadness" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "vast" modifies the noun "sadness". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and it serves to intensify the feeling of sadness, indicating a great magnitude or extent of sorrow.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vast sadness" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, effectively conveying a deep and overwhelming feeling of sorrow. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correctly used and mostly appears in News & Media. While appropriate for formal and informal contexts, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding melodramatic. Alternatives like "immense sorrow" or "profound grief" can offer similar intensity. When employing this phrase, ensure the context warrants such a strong emotional expression to maintain authenticity and impact. The provided examples and writing guidance offer practical insights for effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immense sorrow

Replaces "sadness" with "sorrow" and "vast" with "immense", emphasizing the depth of the feeling.

profound grief

Substitutes "sadness" with "grief" and "vast" with "profound", highlighting a deep and intense mourning.

deep sorrow

Replaces "vast" with "deep", indicating the intensity of the sorrow.

overwhelming grief

Replaces "vast sadness" with "overwhelming grief", focusing on the overpowering nature of the sorrow.

great sorrow

Replaces "vast" with "great", suggesting a significant amount of sorrow.

extreme sadness

Replaces "vast" with "extreme", emphasizing the intensity of the sadness.

boundless grief

Replaces "vast sadness" with "boundless grief", illustrating the limitlessness of the mourning.

immeasurable sadness

Replaces "vast" with "immeasurable", highlighting that the sadness cannot be measured.

boundless sadness

Similar to immeasurable, but emphasizes there are no borders or limits to the sadness.

extensive sorrow

Replaces "vast" with "extensive", suggesting a wide-ranging sorrow.

FAQs

How can I use "vast sadness" in a sentence?

You can use "vast sadness" to describe an overwhelming feeling of sorrow or grief, such as: "After the loss, a "vast sadness" enveloped her.".

What is another way to say "vast sadness"?

Alternatives to "vast sadness" include "immense sorrow", "profound grief", or "deep sorrow", each carrying a similar connotation of deep emotional pain.

Is it appropriate to use "vast sadness" in formal writing?

Yes, "vast sadness" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to convey a significant degree of sorrow. Ensure the context warrants such a strong expression of emotion.

What's the difference between "deep sadness" and "vast sadness"?

"Deep sadness" implies an intense feeling of sorrow, while "vast sadness" suggests the sorrow is extensive and overwhelming in scope or impact.