a big shame

USAGE SUMMARY

"a big shame" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is a particularly unfortunate disappointment, usually when something has gone wrong and the consequences were far-reaching. For example, "It was a big shame when the company had to lay off so many employees due to the economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

It's a big shame".

The New York Times - Sports

I feel a big shame.

The New Yorker

"What a big shame!

The New York Times

"A big shame," Mr. Russo said.

The New York Times

"That is really a big shame.

The New York Times

"Obviously, it's a big shame," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

That is a bigger shame.

The New York Times

It's a bigger shame that we won't force him too.

Huffington Post

"It's a bigger shame we had to lose". Meanwhile, Utah prepares for its trip to Seattle.

Los Angeles Times

It's a bigger shame that Graham has used to his personal prestige to press the Obama Administration to refrain from issuing strong "gainful employment" rules to hold career colleges like Kaplan and Corinthian responsible for waste, fraud, and abuse with taxpayer dollars.

Huffington Post

"But then from a playing point of view and to see what the Olympics in 2012 did for women's football, it's a shame, it's a really big shame.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a big shame" when you want to express disappointment about something that happened and had negative consequences. It's suitable when the situation is more than just a minor inconvenience.

Common error

While "a big shame" is acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in a short text. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a great disappointment" or "a real pity" to make your writing more engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big shame" functions as an evaluative expression, used to convey disappointment or regret about an event or situation. It indicates that something unfortunate has occurred.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big shame" is a common phrase used to express disappointment or regret, predominantly in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely understood. While it is acceptable in many situations, varying your language with synonyms is advisable to avoid repetition. Remember that although the phrase is not overly formal, it fits appropriately in neutral and professional communication, but less so in academic or highly formal scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great disappointment

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment rather than the unfortunate nature of the event.

a crying shame

Emphasizes the regrettable and unjust nature of the situation.

a real pity

A more understated way of expressing regret.

a matter for regret

A more formal way to express the same sentiment.

an unfortunate situation

Focuses on the adversity of the circumstances.

a regrettable incident

Emphasizes a specific event that caused disappointment.

it's lamentable

Highlights the sorrowful nature of the event.

it's deplorable

Indicates strong disapproval and condemnation.

a tragic event

Implies a significant loss or suffering.

a source of deep regret

Indicates a prolonged or profound sense of sorrow.

FAQs

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

You can use "a big shame" to express disappointment or regret about a situation or event. For example, "It's "a big shame" that the event was cancelled due to weather."

What can I say instead of "a big shame"?

You can use alternatives like "a great disappointment", "a real pity", or "an unfortunate situation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that's a big shame"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct and commonly used to say "that's "a big shame"" to express your disappointment or sympathy regarding a piece of bad news or an unfortunate situation.

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

"A big shame" emphasizes a greater degree of disappointment or regret than simply saying "a shame". It suggests that the situation is particularly unfortunate or regrettable.