The document provides examples of expressions that can be used to express sadness in English. It includes informal and formal phrases for expressing feeling sad oneself or responding empathetically to others who are feeling sad. Sample dialogues demonstrate using the expressions in conversations between friends and colleagues. Key points covered include acknowledging the other person's sadness, asking open-ended questions to understand what they are sad about, and offering help or support. The document aims to help readers express and respond to feelings of sadness appropriately in English.

2. Definision Of Sadness
Expression
Use these phrases to express
yourself when you are down, or to
respond to people who are feeling
blue.

3. STRUKTUR USED TO EXPRESS
SADNESSThe examples used in this section are in the present continuous tense to express feeling sad at the
moment of speaking. You can also use these expressions in different tenses.
Informal - for friends and family
S + be + feeling down about something
I'm feeling down about work lately.
She's feeling down about her grades.
S + be + upset about something
I'm upset about my friends.
Tom's upset about his boss. He's too hard on him!
S + be + sad about something
I'm sad about the situation at work.
Jennifer's sad about her mother.
More Formal - for Colleagues or Work
S + be + out of sorts
I'm sorry. I'm out of sorts today. I'll be better tomorrow.
Peter is out of sorts today. Ask him tomorrow.
S + do not + feel well
Doug doesn't feel well today.
The staff doesn't feel well about the changes at work.

4. Idioms Used to Express
Sadness
• S + be + feeling blue about something
Jack is feeling blue about his relationship with his
girlfriend.
Our teaching said he was feeling blue about life
last night.
• S + be + in the dumps about something
We're in the dumps about our financial situation.
Kelly is in the dumps about her horrible job.
• S + feel + down in the mouth about something
Keith feels down in the mouth about his
relationship.
Jennifer is down in the mouth this month. I don't

5. When someone tells you they are sad, it's important to express your concern. Here are some
common phrases to show you care.
Informal
Bummer
I feel you.
Tough luck.
I can't believe that. That's horrible / disgusting / not fair
More Formal
I'm sorry to hear that.
That's too bad.
What can I do to help?
Is there anything I can do for you?
Would you like to talk about it?
If you see that someone is sad, but that person is not telling you, you can use the following phrases
to get the person to open up about their feelings. Make sure to ask lots of helpful questions when
helping a friend or a colleague who is feeling sad.
What's the matter?
You seem sad. Tell me all about it.
Why the long face?

6. Ungkapan lainnya seperti: Response:
- The lowest mark - I’m sorry that...
- The lowest - Don’t drop yuorself into sadness
- I can’t do the homework - Don’t be sad I ever...
- I can’t do - Don’t worry
- That makes me sad -Don’t be sad, please...
- It’s awfully sad
- I feel so blue
- My family is sick
- I failed in my...

7. Example Situations
Example 1 - At Work
Colleague 1: Hi Bob. I'm feeling out of sorts today.
Colleague 2: I'm sorry to hear that. What seems to be the problem?
Colleague 1: Well, I'm really upset about the changes at work.
Colleague 2: I know it's been difficult for everyone.
Colleague 1: I just don't understand why they had to change our team!
Colleague 2: Sometimes management does things we don't understand.
Colleague 1: It make no sense! I just don't feel well.
Colleague 2: Maybe you need some time off work.
Colleague 1: Yes, maybe that's it.
Colleague 2: Is there anything I can do to help?
Colleague 1: No, just talking about it makes things better.
Colleague 2: Feel free to talk anytime.
Colleague 1: Thanks. I appreciate it.
Colleague 2: No problem.

8. Sue : Anna, what's the matter?
Anna : Nothing. I'm fine.
Sue : You seem sad. Tell me all about it.
Anna : OK, I'm in the dumps about Tom.
Sue : Bummer. What seems to be the problem.
Anna : I don't think he loves me anymore.
Sue : Really! Are you sure about that?
Anna : Yes, I saw him yesterday with Mary. They were laughing and
having a great time.
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 : Is there anything I can do?
Anna : Yes, let's go shopping!
Sue : Now you are talking. A nice new pair shoes would help
you feel much better.
Anna : Yes, maybe that's what I really need. Not a boyfriend, but
some beautiful new shoes.
Example 2 - Between Friends

10. Susan : What’s going on, Iel?
Daniel : I’m very sad san.
Susan : Why are you very sad, tell me come on!
Daniel : I’m very sad because my grandmother has
just passed away.
Susan : Oh no,........ I can’t believe what’s going on.
C. Iam sorry to hear that Daniel
B. You look so sad
A. I am happy
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11. Freddy : Hi Roy, why you look so sad?
Roy : Oh no Fred, .....
Freddy : Wait, what happens Roy?
Roy : My girlfriend has just broken up
me. I can’t hold my tears on it.
Freddy : What? What’s the problem?
Roy : I don’t know why but it comes as my great
sadness.
A. I can’t believe it.
B. I’m fine
C.No problem
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12. A. Don’t be sad
B. That’s awesome
C. Be careful
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13. Nurul : Oh Apri, can you join with us in our
party tonight?
Apriansyah : Oh dear,...... I have homework and I
want to do that tonight. Sorry.
Nurul : Okay, no problem.
B. I can’t do it.
A. It’s unbelieveble
C. Thank You.
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14. A : Hi, Joana. Why do you look so sad?
B : My grandma passed away last night.
That's
why I'm very sad.
A : Oh, .......
B : Thanks.
C. I'm sorry to hear
that.
B. Great!
A. Poor!
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15. Kelly : Hi Miley. What do you want to hear my story ?
Miley : I think not now, Kelly. Sorry.
Kelly : No prob. Em... You look so sad. What happened ?
Miley : Do you know Mary? Billy kittens given three
months ago ? Yesterday Mary died. I saw her lying
in the street outside my house. I think Mary was
hit by a car or motorcycle.
Kelly : .......
How to respond expression sadness?
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16. Jono : My uncle didn’t get the job after all.
Joko :..........
Evi : Have you heard that 300 people were killed
when a plane crashed this morning?
Yuni :..........
Sinta : My uncle’s house is drowned because of
Lapindo mudfood. Now they are staying with
us.The kids lost most of their school stuff.
Ulfa : .......... Let me know if you need anything, ok?
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17. Aning : You look sad, Ucok. Is anything wrong?
Ucok : I’ve lost my wallet.
Aning : Did you put some money in it?
Ucok : That’s the problem. I put the school
fee for this month.
Aning : .............
Kuncoro : Look at this news. A ship
was reported to
have sunk into the ocean
due to a fire.Thirty passengers
were killed including a three-month-old
baby and two pregnant mothers.
Fatimah : .............
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18. Ani : You look different,Ali. What is the matter?
Ani : I don’t know why I did not study hard for the exam. I failed
the exam.
Ali : .............. Next time better.
Ali :Thanks a lot for your concern.
Bambang : I really regret rushing off the house.
Anita : What happened?
Bambang : I knocked an old woman down.
Anita : Was she injured?
Bambang : Not seriously,actually.
Anita : ................. It could happen to anyone
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19. Endah : I can’t think why I never listened to your
advice.
Simatupang : Why did you say that? Is there anything
wrong?
Endah : Yes. I rode my motorcycle carelessly and
hit a tree. It broke. Luckily, I did not get
seriously injured.
Simatupang : ..............., but that could be a good
lesson for you to be more careful in
the future
Siska: What’s going on John?
John : .............., Sis.
Siska: Why are you very sad, tell me come on!
John : I’m very sad because my grandmother has just
passed away.
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20. Freddy : Hi Roy, why you look so sad?
Roy : Oh no Fred, I can’t believe it.
Freddy : Wait, what happens Roy?
Roy : My girlfriend has just broken up me. .............
Freddy : What? What’s the problem?
Roy : I don’t know why but it comes as my great sadness.
Father : Hey my boy, are you okay?
Clark : Well dad, actually I’m not okay.
Father : Ok, come on tell me why!
Clark : I’ve lost my mobile phone and now .............
Father : Oh, Dear. It’s okay, don’t be sad we can buy again. Come on, you are boy, don’t be sad again.
Clark : Ok dad. Thank you so much.
Nurul : Oh Apri, can you join with us in our party tonight?
Apriansyah : ............, I can’t do it. I have homework and I want to do that tonight. Sorry.
Nurul : Okay, no problem.
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21. Complete the dialogues below using the expressions of
sadness, then practice them.
• Situation: Rangga feels sad because his favorite basketball team
has been beaten by its rival.
Yoyok : What happened to you, Rangga?
Rangga : ……………………………
Yoyok : Come on! That was just a game. How could it make
you so sad?
Rangga : Well, ……………………………
• Situation: Ari feels so sad because she has been fired from her job.
Agus : You look so glomy. What's a matter?
Ari : I have been fired..........................
Agus : Oh, I'm sorry. What made you be fired?
Ari : ……………………………
Agus : Well, you still can find another job.
Ari : Yes, you are right.
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22. NEXT

23. TRY AGAIN

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31. TRY AGAIN