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How To Express Sadness in English
How To Express Sadness in English
How To Express Sadness in English
English
Some days aren't as good as others, and from time to time, you may, in fact,
feel sad. Learning how to express your feelings can be really important for your
everyday life. Having the right vocabulary can help you get through the sadness
and also let others know how you are feeling. It will also help you learn what to
say when someone else is unhappy.
Informal
Use these informal forms when speaking to close friends and family. Preceding
each set of example sentences is a formula that shows you how to construct the
sentence, including the subject and the verb "to be":
Formal
Use these formal forms when speaking with people at work or those you don't
know very well.
Showing Concern
When people tell you they are sad, it's important to express concern and
sympathy. Here are some common phrases to show that you care:
Informal
Bummer.
I feel you.
Tough luck.
I can't believe that. That's horrible/disgusting/not fair.
Sentence Examples
Formal
Sentence Examples
If you see that someone is sad, but that person is not talking to you about it, it
may sometimes be best to give them space. However, to show the person you
are there for them, use the following phrases and questions to get them to open
up about their feelings.
Example Dialogues
These dialogues will help you and a friend or fellow student practice expressing
sadness or concern.
At work
Colleague 1: I just don't understand why they had to change our team!
Colleague 2: Sometimes management does things we don't understand.
Between friends
Sue: You seem sad. You can tell me all about it if you want.
Anna: OK, well, I'm in the dumps about Tom.
Sue: Well, maybe they were just studying together. It doesn't mean he's leaving
you.
Anna: That's what I keep telling myself. Still, I'm feeling blue.
Sue: Now you're talking. The new dance class at the gym would help you feel
much better.
Anna: Yes, maybe that's what I really need.