a great pity

USAGE SUMMARY

'a great pity' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express sorrow or regret about something that has happened, or about a situation or circumstances. For example, "It is a great pity that so many people have lost their jobs due to the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's a great pity.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a great pity.

The Economist

What a great pity.

The Guardian

This would be a great pity.

The New York Times

"It is a great pity," says McKellen.

Independent

That was a great pity.

The New Yorker

And that will be a great pity.

The Guardian - Sport

"That was a great pity," he said.

The New York Times

It's a great pity in countless ways.

The Guardian - Opinion

And this is a great pity.

The Guardian - Books

It's a great pity, too," she said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great pity" to express sincere regret, particularly when discussing missed opportunities or unfortunate circumstances. It adds a touch of formality and gravity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a great pity" too frequently in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler expressions like "that's too bad" or "what a shame" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great pity" functions as an evaluative expression, conveying a speaker's or writer's sense of regret, disappointment, or sorrow concerning a particular situation or event. Ludwig AI affirms its usability, and it is frequently found in sentences that reflect upon undesirable outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great pity" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express feelings of regret or disappointment. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. As a phrase, it works in professional, neutral, and sometimes even formal contexts, but consider less formal options such as "what a shame" for casual conversations. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, and authoritative sources include The New York Times and The Guardian. When writing, remember that while it is a strong way to express sorrow, simpler phrases might be more appropriate in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great shame

Shares the same sentiment and level of intensity, expressing regret or disappointment.

a real shame

Similar meaning but can sometimes imply a slightly lesser degree of regret.

it's regrettable

More formal and direct, focusing on the action or event that is the cause of regret.

that's unfortunate

More mild and general, indicating a lack of good fortune.

it's a crying shame

Emphasizes the feeling of injustice or moral wrong in addition to regret.

a matter of regret

More formal and highlights the feeling of sorrow or remorse.

a source of disappointment

Focuses on the feeling of unmet expectations.

a cause for sorrow

Highlights the sadness or grief associated with the situation.

it's a loss

Emphasizes the negative impact or deprivation resulting from the situation.

it's deplorable

Expresses strong disapproval or condemnation rather than simple regret.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great pity" to express regret or disappointment about a situation. For example, "It's "a great pity" that the event was canceled" or "It would be "a great pity" if the project were to fail".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a great pity"?

Similar phrases include "a great shame", "a real shame", "that's unfortunate", and "it's regrettable". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is "a great pity" formal or informal?

"A great pity" is somewhat formal. While suitable for news articles, academic papers, and professional communications, it might sound slightly out of place in very casual conversation.

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

While both phrases express regret, "a great pity" often emphasizes a sense of loss or misfortune, whereas ""a great shame"" might highlight a sense of disappointment or moral failing. The distinction is subtle and context-dependent.