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Mr. Tom Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

The use of the word "Bereft"

Hi

Could you please tell me how common the word "bereft" is among native speakers as far as spoken English is concerned?

Every single penny that he possibly had was eaten up by his step brothers; and his children were left completely bereft.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

As a BE speaker, I'd say most of us know what it means but we rarely use it in conversation. Rover

— Rover_KE

  • As a BE speaker, I'd say most of us know what it means but we rarely use it in conversation.
  • Rover
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5 Answers
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As a BE speaker, I'd say most of us know what it means but we rarely use it in conversation.

Rover
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Hi

It is unusual, but I can imagine hearing it ...

- Since someone stole his motor, he's totally bereft

(There is a song that uses the word - The Bereft Man's Song, Crash Test Dummies - but that was early 1990s)

Dave
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In American English, from 1990-present, the word "bereft" is used on average 4 times in ten million spoken words.
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Thanks everybody!

So, what's the better substitution?

...and my the children were left completely ____________________?

Tom
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Depending on what you want to say, there are many possibilities
destitute
alone
forsaken
inconsolable
forlorn
helpless
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