a crying shame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a crying shame" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express disappointment or regret about a situation or action. Example: "It's a crying shame that such a talented musician decided to give up their dreams and pursue a more secure career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a crying shame.

The New York Times

And that's a crying shame.

The New York Times

Which is a crying shame.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I thought, it's a crying shame.

The New York Times - Health

This is a crying shame.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That is a crying shame.

The Guardian

Which would be a crying shame.

The Guardian - Travel

A crying shame, considering his talent.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a crying shame more don't.

The Guardian

The Wall Street crooks were back, too -- a crying shame.

The New York Times - Magazine

This, you will agree, is a crying shame.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a crying shame" to express disappointment or regret when something negative occurs that could have been avoided or prevented.

Common error

While "a crying shame" is widely understood, avoid using it in highly formal or professional documents. Opt for more neutral or sophisticated phrases like "a matter for regret" or "an unfortunate situation" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a crying shame" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express disappointment, regret, or disapproval about a situation or event. It's commonly used when something unfortunate has happened that could have been avoided, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a crying shame" is a common idiomatic phrase used to express disappointment or regret. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure and wide usage across diverse contexts. It is particularly prevalent in news and media. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse in highly formal settings, opting for more neutral alternatives. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of lament over something unfortunate that ideally could have been avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It's a pity

This alternative is simpler and more informal, expressing mild disappointment.

It's unfortunate

This alternative is a straightforward expression of bad luck or disappointment.

A regrettable situation

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the regret associated with the situation.

A damn shame

This alternative is more emphatic and uses stronger language.

A great disappointment

This alternative is more direct, highlighting the feeling of being let down.

A matter for regret

This alternative is more detached and focuses on the feeling of regret.

What a waste

This alternative focuses on the lost potential or opportunity.

A deplorable state of affairs

This alternative is stronger and conveys a sense of moral disapproval.

A cause for lament

This alternative emphasizes the sadness and sorrow associated with the situation.

It's a travesty

This alternative indicates something is a false, absurd, or distorted representation of something else.

FAQs

How to use "a crying shame" in a sentence?

Use "a crying shame" to express disappointment or regret about a particular situation. For example, "It's "a crying shame" that the event was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances".

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

You can use alternatives like "it's a pity", "it's unfortunate", or "a regrettable situation", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a crying shame" or "a shameful cry"?

"A crying shame" is the idiomatic expression. "A shameful cry" might be grammatically correct but does not carry the same conventional meaning of disappointment or regret. The term "a crying shame" is used when something could have been avoided.

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

"A pity" expresses mild disappointment, while "a crying shame" suggests a stronger sense of regret and that something significant has been lost or mishandled. You can use the term "a crying shame" when there's a sense something should have gone differently and a chance was missed.