wave of sadness

USAGE SUMMARY

'wave of sadness' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of sorrow, such as when someone experiences a sudden burst of emotion. For example, "The news of her grandmother's death was overwhelming, and a wave of sadness washed over her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But it elicited a wave of sadness nonetheless.

The New York Times

The thought brings on a wave of sadness.

The Guardian

Yet she felt a wave of sadness, and that, she reasoned, made no sense.

Harvard University

At around 11 pm that night, I felt a wave of sadness wash over me out of nowhere.

Independent

The following weeks were taken up with putting out the paper and photographing a seemingly endless wave of sadness.

The New York Times

Three years ago, Monday morning's alarm brought with it a wave of sadness followed by debilitating anxiety – Mum had bowel cancer and I had depression.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

At the same time, she struggled with waves of sadness.

The New York Times

He describes the feelings as "just waves of sadness that I can't speak for".

The New York Times

One of my students suffered from waves of sadness so powerful that she regularly fled the classroom to sob uncontrollably in the solitude of a locked bathroom stall.

University of California, Berkeley

Waves of sadness, symbolism and disappointment with life pulse from this 1961 movie, nationally re-released as part of a Marilyn Monroe season at London's BFI Southbank.

The Guardian - Film

On the field, Justin Meccage admitted to waves of sadness, being on his own in New York City, without his father to lean on long distance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wave of sadness" to describe a sudden and intense feeling of sorrow that washes over someone. It's particularly effective when illustrating the immediate impact of an event or realization.

Common error

Avoid using "wave of sadness" to describe mild or prolonged sadness. The phrase implies a powerful, sudden onset of emotion, so reserve it for moments of significant emotional impact. Consider using phrases like "feeling blue" or "lingering sadness" for less intense or more persistent feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave of sadness" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a feeling of sorrow, often sudden and overwhelming. Examples show it conveying a specific moment of grief or despair.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wave of sadness" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that effectively conveys a sudden and intense feeling of sorrow. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and can be used in a variety of writing styles. To enhance your writing, use the phrase to describe a potent, immediate onset of sorrow, and consider alternative phrases like "surge of grief" for similar meanings. Be mindful of the intensity implied by the phrase to avoid misapplication in milder contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wash of grief

Uses 'wash' instead of 'wave', maintaining the metaphor of an emotion enveloping someone.

surge of grief

Emphasizes the intensity and suddenness of the grief.

pang of sorrow

Highlights a sharp, sudden feeling of sorrow.

flood of despair

Focuses on the overwhelming nature of despair.

twinge of sadness

Highlights a slight, sudden feeling of sadness.

bout of melancholy

Suggests a period or instance of melancholy.

moment of gloom

Highlights a brief period of sadness or negativity.

attack of sorrow

Emphasizes the sudden and overwhelming nature of sorrow.

feeling of despondency

Refers to a state of low spirits and loss of hope.

sense of heartbreak

Focuses on emotional pain and distress.

FAQs

How can I use "wave of sadness" in a sentence?

You can use "wave of sadness" to describe a sudden and intense feeling of sorrow. For example, "A "wave of sadness" washed over her when she heard the news."

What can I say instead of "wave of sadness"?

You can use alternatives like "surge of grief", "pang of sorrow", or "flood of despair" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "waves of sadness"?

Yes, "waves of sadness" is grammatically correct. It suggests recurring or multiple instances of sadness, whereas ""wave of sadness"" typically refers to a single, intense experience.

What's the difference between ""wave of sadness"" and "feeling sad"?

"Wave of sadness" implies a more intense and sudden experience of sorrow, while "feeling sad" is a general and less intense expression of unhappiness.