'I greeted him with a sullen/sulky expression'.

[99bottles]

'I greeted him with a sullen/sulky expression'.

According to online dictionaries, those words refer to facial expressions that indicate sadness and anger. However, at google images, I found pictures of 'sullen' or 'sulky' people that looked just sad, not angry. So, how exactly are those words used? In any case, I want a word that means just sad, not angry, so, if neither of the two is suitable, give me another one I can use.

 

[jutfrank]

If you want synonyms for sad, try a thesaurus.

If you want to explain what you mean a bit more, feel free.

 

[emsr2d2]

"Sullen" and "sulky" are descriptions I associate with young children and some moody teenagers. If you're an adult and you meet another adult while you are looking sullen or sulky, the other person will wonder what on earth is wrong with you and why you're behaving so childishly.

 

[Tdol]

You could greet someone with either expression if you weren't overjoyed to see them.

 

[99bottles]

If you want synonyms for sad, try a thesaurus.

If you want to explain what you mean a bit more, feel free.

'I greeted him with a (insert word) expression'.

I want a word that indicates I was not in a good mood, but not necessarily angry or hostile towards the person I greeted.

 

[jutfrank]

'I greeted him with a (insert word) expression'.

I want a word that indicates I was not in a good mood, but not necessarily angry or hostile towards the person I greeted.

Thank you for trying to explain. English has a huge range of descriptive adjectives. It can be really hard, even for native-speakers, to find just the right one (which is especially important for those in the process of writing a masterpiece such as yours).

Try to say more about why you were not in a good mood. What was going on in your mind? As you know, the human face is capable of a huge range of expressions, each expressive of a different thought or feeling.

 

[emsr2d2]

Part of the problem is that by saying "I greeted him with a XXX expression", you are suggesting that your feeling is directed towards him.

 

[99bottles]

Part of the problem is that by saying "I greeted him with a XXX expression", you are suggesting that your feeling is directed towards him.

No, I don't think that having a certain expression because of something you think about and looking at someone with that expression necessarily indicates your feelings towards that someone.

 

[99bottles]

How about the word 'grim'? Does it also indicate the anger of a spoiled child/teen like 'sulky' and 'sullen'?

 

[jutfrank]

No, I don't think that having a certain expression because of something you think about and looking at someone with that expression necessarily indicates your feelings towards that someone.

emsr2d2 makes a very relevant point in post #7, which you've missed.

It's absolutely right what you say above, but the point is that using the pattern to greet somebody with a XXX expression does mean the feelings are directed towards that person.

 

[jutfrank]

How about the word 'grim'? Does it also indicate the anger of a spoiled child/teen like 'sulky' and 'sullen'?

No.

 

[GoesStation]

It's absolutely right what you say above, but the point is that using the pattern to greet somebody with a XXX expression does mean the feelings are directed towards that person.

It's the phrase "greeted him with" that makes the association. Think of castle invaders who were greeted with a shower of boiling oil, for example. Or a hopeful young man whose heart soared when the object of his affection greeted him with a dazzling smile.

 

[Raymott]

Also, it is not common to describe oneself as sulky and sullen. These are words that other people use for someone.

 

[99bottles]

No.

So, shall I go with 'grim'?

 

[jutfrank]

So, shall I go with 'grim'?

Probably not, but I can't say for sure because once again you haven't told us what you mean.

 

[Tdol]

Please give a full context.

 

[99bottles]

Please give a full context.

I greeted him while being sad about something irrelevant I was thinking about at that moment. Is this context enough?

 

[jutfrank]

I greeted him while being sad about something irrelevant I was thinking about at that moment. Is this context enough?

No. You already mentioned sad in post #1. If you want to know what we mean by context, reread post #6.

What do you mean by 'irrelevant'? Irrelevant to what? How can you be sad about something that is not relevant?

 

[99bottles]

No. You already mentioned sad in post #1. If you want to know what we mean by context, reread post #6.

What do you mean by 'irrelevant'? Irrelevant to what? How can you be sad about something that is not relevant?

He talks to me. At this moment, I am sad for something that has nothing to do with him. Alas, I greet him with an expression that shows how I feel at that moment. How do I call that expression? Sullen? Sulky? Grim?

 

[jutfrank]

He talks to me. At this moment, I am sad for something that has nothing to do with him. Alas, I greet him with an expression that shows how I feel at that moment. How do I call that expression? Sullen? Sulky? Grim?

The word you use to describe your expression depends on how you are feeling at the time.