which is depressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is depressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, fact, or statement that evokes feelings of sadness or disappointment. Example: "The news about the environmental crisis is alarming, which is depressing for many people who care about the planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Which is depressing.

The Guardian

"There were so many subprime mortgages, and so many houses are going through foreclosure, which is depressing the prices in Prince George's County more than elsewhere," McClain said.

The Washington Post

By 2002 he was writing Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House, which is depressing in itself, but particularly considering this was the same writer who created Abe Froman, the sausage king of Chicago.

The Guardian - Film

Perhaps more accurately, bigoted people can cause a lot of distress in the lives of LGBT people which is depressing.

WikiHow

"Which is depressing, too".

The New York Times

Which is depressing, You have to admit".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

When Browder talked about his case, he was "strong, adamant: 'No, they can't do this to me!' " But, when the conversation turned to life in jail, "it's a totally different personality, which is depressed.

The New Yorker

The monocystronic gene ilvC, which is depressed exclusively by valine has a high value of expression score.

DNA Research

In a prospective study including 53 postmenopausal cases, Dorgan et al (2001) assessed the androstenedione : 11 β-hydroxyandrostenedione ratio, which is depressed when the adrenals are the primary source of androstenedione but elevated when the ovaries are the primary source.

British Journal of Cancer

In contrast, a newly identified vasodilatory peptide, namely adrenomedullin, which is depressed after severe blood loss because of downregulation of adrenomedullin binding protein (AMBP -1 [ 137], AMBP -1 a circulating hormone that elicits various biologic activities in a paracrine and autocrine manner.

Critical Care

And of course we had to take precautions like wearing masks, which was depressing to see.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which is depressing", ensure it logically follows the preceding clause and accurately reflects the emotional impact of the information being conveyed. Avoid overuse to maintain impact.

Common error

Avoid using "which is depressing" as a generic response to any negative situation. Be specific about why something is depressing to provide more meaningful context and improve the clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is depressing" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, adding supplementary information about a preceding statement. It expresses a subjective evaluation of a situation as causing feelings of sadness or discouragement, consistent with Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which is depressing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used relative clause to express disappointment or sadness about a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. While effective, overuse or vague references should be avoided to maintain clarity. Consider more formal or nuanced alternatives in academic or professional settings to better suit the tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's disheartening

Replaces "which is depressing" with a single adjective to express disappointment.

it's rather upsetting

Uses "upsetting" to indicate a cause of emotional distress, similar to depressing.

that's rather discouraging

Replaces "depressing" with "discouraging" to suggest a loss of motivation or hope.

this is disappointing

Emphasizes the feeling of disappointment rather than a lowering of spirits.

it's quite sad

Offers a more straightforward expression of sadness as an alternative.

that's unfortunate

Downplays the emotional impact by using "unfortunate" to describe the situation.

it's a real shame

Expresses regret or disappointment about a situation.

that's a downer

Uses informal language to describe something that lowers mood.

that's gloomy

Indicates a feeling of melancholy or pessimism.

it's rather bleak

Emphasizes the hopelessness or lack of positive prospects in a situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "which is depressing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "that is disheartening", "that is disappointing", or "that is unfortunate" depending on the specific context.

What are some less intense alternatives to "which is depressing"?

If you want to downplay the negativity, try phrases like "which is a shame", "which is unideal", or "which is less than ideal".

Is there a difference between "which is depressing" and "that is depressing"?

"Which is depressing" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, adding extra information, while "that is depressing" introduces a restrictive clause, essential to the meaning of the sentence. The choice depends on whether the clause is vital for understanding the sentence's core message.

When should I avoid using "which is depressing" in my writing?

Avoid using "which is depressing" in overly formal or academic contexts where a more nuanced or objective tone is required. Instead, opt for phrases that convey disappointment or concern without explicitly stating the emotional impact. An example is "which is concerning".