Alas

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Alas" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express sorrow, regret, or disappointment. Example: "Alas, the project was not completed on time." Alternative expressions include "Unfortunately" and "Regrettably."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alas, no.

The New York Times

Alas, probably not.

The New York Times - Food

Alas, it took so long to come together that, by the time it was greenlit, Lloyd had died.

The Guardian - Film

Alas no, I'm a staunch Labour supporter.

The Guardian

Alas, legitimacy and having appropriate policy instruments at hand are not the same thing.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Alas, determined attempts to coax the sprinter into a kilt over the course of his week in Scotland had been frustrated).

The Guardian - Sport

Alas, I'm still waiting to see it.

The Guardian

Alas, another anti-Romney proves to have feet of clay.

The Guardian

Alas, Rieder's think piece on BlackRock's blog doesn't go into details about what could be done, policy-wise.

The Guardian - Money

Alas, we had even less time than we thought.

The Guardian - Books

Alas, it's none of the above, in fact: in the flesh – or rather in photographs, since the piano was only unveiled today in Budapest – it looks like a swooshy reinterpretation of the piano form, a bit like a Steinway reimagined by Umberto Boccioni.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Alas" sparingly in contemporary writing to avoid sounding overly dramatic or archaic. It can be effective for creating a particular tone in historical fiction or when aiming for a heightened emotional effect.

Common error

Avoid using "Alas" frequently in everyday conversations or informal writing, as it can come across as affected or insincere. Opt for more common alternatives like "unfortunately" or "sadly" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

Alas functions primarily as an interjection. It expresses a sentiment of sorrow, regret, or disappointment. As seen in Ludwig, it's often used to introduce a statement of unfortunate circumstances or outcomes. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Alas" is an interjection used to express sorrow, regret, or disappointment. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media. While effective for conveying emotion, it should be used sparingly in contemporary contexts to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Alternatives like "unfortunately" or "sadly" are often more appropriate for modern writing. Ludwig AI also emphasizes this phrase is commonly used and the examples confirm this conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unfortunately

Indicates regret or disappointment about a situation, similar to "Alas" but more commonly used in modern English.

Regrettably

Expresses sorrow or disappointment, often in a more formal context than "Alas".

Sadly

Conveys a feeling of sorrow or unhappiness, similar to "Alas" but more straightforward.

Alack

An archaic synonym of "Alas", also expressing sorrow or regret but less commonly used.

Woe is me

Expresses deep sorrow or distress about one's own situation, carrying a more dramatic tone than "Alas".

It's a pity

Indicates that something is regrettable or unfortunate, offering a milder expression compared to "Alas".

What a shame

Expresses disappointment or regret about something, conveying a similar level of emotion as "It's a pity".

To my dismay

Indicates disappointment or surprise, highlighting the speaker's emotional reaction to a situation.

I am saddened to say

Formally introduces bad news or a regrettable statement, setting a more somber tone.

It is with regret that

Formally announces regret or disappointment, typically used in professional or official communications.

FAQs

How to use "Alas" in a sentence?

"Alas" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence to express sorrow, regret, or disappointment. For example, "Alas, the project was not completed on time."

What can I say instead of "Alas"?

You can use alternatives like "unfortunately", "regrettably", or "sadly" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "Alas" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "Alas" may sound archaic in modern formal writing. Consider "regrettably" or "unfortunately" for a more contemporary tone.

What's the difference between "Alas" and "alack"?

"Alas" and "alack" are both archaic interjections expressing sorrow or regret. However, "Alas" is slightly more common than "alack", though both are rare in contemporary usage.