waves of sorrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waves of sorrow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe overwhelming feelings of sadness or grief that come in strong, recurring emotions. Example: "After the loss of her beloved pet, she was engulfed by waves of sorrow that seemed to crash over her at every turn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The loss of a limb is traumatic, and I experience waves of sorrow and regret.

The New York Times

Those waves of sorrow have been replaced by a reservoir of resolve.

The New York Times

Knox Carries on His Friend's Legacy" by Ronald S. Coddington: Waves of sorrow and indignation rippled across the Northern states in the wake of the fatal shooting of Elmer Ellsworth, a charismatic young colonel who had built a national following in the early days of the war only to be shot dead by an Alexandria, Va., innkeeper on May 24.

The New York Times

The hard part comes when I realize he's not around to celebrate accomplishments with me; then I'm momentarily hit by waves of sorrow, but I'm thankful they're just momentary.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The result: a video interview with Bono and the band about a previously-unreleased track, Wave of Sorrow.

TechCrunch

http://s.ilike.com/swfs/rssPlayer.swfThis is a huge win for music site iLike – U2's Bono recorded an interview with the iLike founders talking about the history of a new song called Wave of Sorrow.

TechCrunch

"Wave of Sorrow (Birdland)" is a completed version of the demo "Birdland", and "Drunk Chicken/America" features an excerpt of Allen Ginsberg's recitation of his poem, "America".

Wikipedia

"Wave of Sorrow (Birdland)", "Desert of Our Love", "Rise Up", and "Drunk Chicken/America" are all previously unreleased recordings from The Joshua Tree sessions.

Wikipedia

In 2007, a re-recorded version of the song, retitled "Wave of Sorrow (Birdland)", was included with the 20th anniversary edition of the album.

Wikipedia

Given the sheer extent of devastation, with many surviving victims sharing their harrowing stories of struggle and loss before the local and global media, the whole Philippines has been swept by a wave of sorrow.

Huffington Post

Last week, the heartbreaking beating death of 16-year-old Chicago student Derrion Albert was captured on video, unleashing a fresh wave of sorrow on the South Side, another layer of fear and terror among students and families in the community, and -- painfully, the predictable calls from authorities for more harsh treatment of youth -- that is, some youth.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waves of sorrow" to vividly depict recurring and intense feelings of sadness, grief, or regret. This phrase is best suited for emotionally resonant writing, where you want to convey the intensity and cyclical nature of these feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "waves of sorrow" in clinical or scientific contexts where a more detached, descriptive term might be appropriate. Overuse can sound melodramatic or lack objectivity, which may not be suitable in a scientific paper or clinical report.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "waves of sorrow" is that of a noun phrase used to vividly describe recurring and intense feelings of sadness. Ludwig AI provides examples illustrating its use in expressing emotional distress, like experiencing these "waves" after a traumatic event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waves of sorrow" is a noun phrase used to describe recurring and intense feelings of sadness or grief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it is relatively rare, it is most commonly found in News & Media sources. Alternatives such as "tides of grief" or "surges of sadness" can be used for variety. When using "waves of sorrow", it is important to consider the context and avoid overuse in overly formal contexts. This phrase is best suited for emotionally resonant writing where you wish to emphasize the intensity and cyclical nature of such profound feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tides of grief

Uses 'tides' instead of 'waves', implying a more constant and overwhelming sorrow.

surges of sadness

Replaces 'sorrow' with 'sadness' and 'waves' with 'surges', indicating intense but temporary bouts of sadness.

depths of despair

Emphasizes the profound level of sadness and hopelessness.

floods of grief

Employs 'floods' to illustrate an overwhelming and expansive feeling of grief.

moments of anguish

Focuses on specific instances of intense suffering or distress.

periods of mourning

Highlights the duration and process of grieving.

pangs of remorse

Highlights the guilt and regret that accompany sorrow.

bouts of melancholy

Describes states of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.

expressions of grief

Focuses on outward manifestations of sorrow.

heavy-heartedness

Expresses sorrow through a feeling of emotional weight and sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "waves of sorrow" in a sentence?

You can use "waves of sorrow" to describe the feeling of overwhelming grief or sadness that comes and goes. For example: "After the tragic event, she experienced "waves of sorrow" that seemed never-ending."

What are some alternatives to "waves of sorrow"?

Some alternatives to "waves of sorrow" include "tides of grief", "surges of sadness", or "floods of grief". These phrases can provide a similar emotional impact while varying your language.

Is it appropriate to use "waves of sorrow" in formal writing?

While "waves of sorrow" can be effective in emotional or descriptive writing, it may be less appropriate in formal or academic contexts. In these settings, consider using more neutral terms like "periods of mourning" or "expressions of grief".

How does "waves of sorrow" differ from "moments of anguish"?

"Waves of sorrow" suggests a recurring and overwhelming feeling, while "moments of anguish" implies specific, intense instances of suffering. The former is more cyclical, the latter more acute and isolated.