sadden
B1Neutral to slightly formal. Common in writing and careful speech.
Definition
Meaning
to cause someone to become unhappy.
To make something less pleasant or appealing; to cast a melancholy tone over a situation, event, or narrative.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Usually transitive, requiring a direct object (a person or the heart). Can describe the emotional impact of events or news. Implies a transition from a neutral or positive state to a sad one.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and grammar are identical.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British written English, but the difference is minimal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
It saddens someone that...Something saddens someoneSomeone is saddened by somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sadden the heart”
- “A saddening sight”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used in announcements: 'It saddens us to announce the departure of...'
Academic
Used in literary analysis or sociological texts to describe emotional effects.
Everyday
Common when reacting to personal or public news: 'It saddens me to see that.'
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The closure of the local library will sadden many in the community.
- It saddens me to think we might not meet again.
American English
- The team's loss really saddened the fans.
- It saddened her to sell the family home.
adverb
British English
- He shook his head sadly.
- She smiled sadly and turned away.
American English
- The story ended sadly.
- He spoke sadly of his lost dog.
adjective
British English
- The saddest part of the film was the ending.
- He had a sad and lonely look.
American English
- It was a sad day for the whole town.
- She felt sad about moving away.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The sad film made the child cry.
- I am sad today.
- Bad news saddens people.
- It saddened him to leave his friends.
- The documentary's findings deeply saddened the researchers.
- She was saddened by the lack of progress on the issue.
- The pervasive cynicism in modern political discourse saddens those who remember a more hopeful era.
- He was profoundly saddened, yet not surprised, by the betrayal.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'sad' in the middle. To SADDEN is to make someone feel SAD.
Conceptual Metaphor
SADNESS IS A BURDEN / WEIGHT (news saddens the heart); SADNESS IS A DARK CLOUD (the report saddened the atmosphere).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of Russian 'грустить' as 'to sadden'—'грустить' is intransitive ('to be sad'), while 'sadden' is almost always transitive ('to *make* sad'). Use 'I am sad' not 'I sadden'.
- Do not confuse with 'saddened' (past participle adjective) and 'sad' (basic adjective).
Common Mistakes
- Using it intransitively: 'I sadden about the news.' (Incorrect) vs. 'The news saddens me.' (Correct)
- Overusing in simple contexts where 'make sad' or 'upset' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'sadden' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a standard verb, more common in written English or formal speech than in casual conversation, where 'make sad' or 'upset' might be used.
'Sadden' is broader, covering any cause of unhappiness. 'Grieve' implies deeper, more intense sorrow, often associated with loss or mourning.
No. The correct adjectival form is 'saddened' (past participle) or 'sad'. 'I am saddened by the news' or 'I am sad' are correct.
The related noun is 'sadness'. There is no direct noun '*saddenment'. The gerund 'saddening' can act as a noun: 'The saddening of the public mood was evident.'
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