a big pity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big pity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disappointment or regret about a situation. Example: "It's a big pity that the concert was canceled at the last minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's a big pity".

The Guardian

It's a big pity for her".

The New York Times - Sports

But complete disregarding the past, and forget about everything that you have as a unique asset and never reimagine how to repackage this unique asset for future use, that's a big pity.

Harvard Business Review

For him now that is a big pity".

BBC

Still, to this day he believes charging sellers at that stage to list on the site limited Alibaba's growth: "To me it's a big pity".

Forbes

They were very dangerous on corners and it was a big pity the referee was covered by players and didn't see the first goal was handball.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"It's a big shame and a pity," said another.

The New York Times

Just as I was about to throw myself a great big pity party there in the hair-care aisle, my eye caught a display of those fake tortoiseshell headbands.

The New Yorker

Con Ed paid for cleanup, and the big pity is that the city last month declined to tear down the Sheridan Expressway, which severs the park from its neighborhood.

The New York Times

What a great pity.

The Guardian

It is a great pity.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a big pity", ensure the context clearly conveys regret or disappointment. It's suitable for expressing sympathy or acknowledging an unfortunate event or outcome.

Common error

Avoid overusing "a big pity" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant a strong expression of disappointment or regret. Using it too frequently can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big pity" functions as an expressive interjection or statement used to convey regret or disappointment about a particular situation or event. Ludwig examples show its usage across various contexts, reinforcing its role as an expression of sympathy or acknowledgment of an unfortunate circumstance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a big pity" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey disappointment or regret. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its acceptability and usage in various contexts, although it is more common in News & Media. When using this phrase, consider the context and intensity of the situation to ensure it's appropriate. Alternatives such as "a great shame" or "a real disappointment" may offer more formality or emphasis depending on your intended message. While not overly formal, it's advisable to use more sophisticated terms in highly formal settings. Keep in mind is considered neutral for most communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great shame

Emphasizes the regrettable or unfortunate nature of a situation.

a real disappointment

Focuses on the feeling of unmet expectations.

a source of regret

Highlights the lasting feeling of sorrow or remorse.

an unfortunate situation

Downplays the emotional aspect, focusing on the negative circumstances.

a regrettable occurrence

Formal and emphasizes the happening of something undesirable.

a lamentable fact

Emphasizes the sadness associated with a particular truth.

a crying shame

Informal and emphasizes the unfairness or injustice of a situation.

a damn shame

Stronger, more emphatic expression of regret.

a major setback

Focuses on the hindrance or obstacle created by a situation.

a matter of sorrow

Emphasizes the sadness caused by a situation, more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "a big pity" in a sentence?

You can use "a big pity" to express disappointment or regret. For example, "It's "a big pity" that the event was canceled" or "A big pity that you couldn't make it."

What phrases can I use instead of "a big pity"?

Alternatives to "a big pity" include "a great shame", "a real disappointment", or "an unfortunate situation", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a big pity" in formal writing?

While "a big pity" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "a source of regret" or "a regrettable occurrence" might be more appropriate in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "a big pity" and "a big shame"?

Both phrases express regret, but ""a big pity"" focuses more on disappointment or sadness about an event, while "a big shame" often implies a sense of injustice or moral wrong.