a lamentable situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lamentable situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a regrettable or unfortunate circumstance. Example: "The lack of resources for education in the region is truly a lamentable situation that needs urgent attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Even for a sprinter good enough to be in with a shout of making England's squad for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, that is a lamentable situation.

BBC

This is a lamentable situation.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is a really lamentable situation, but it is part of why it is so difficult to change things".

The New York Times

And yet there is no unforeseen event that triggered this lamentable situation.

The Guardian - Business

"For Burmese, Repression, AIDS and Denial" (front page, Nov. 14) shed some much needed light on the lamentable situation in Myanmar.

The New York Times

Part of the reason for this lamentable situation is that business and government have mostly succeeded in keeping us all in two minds about ecology as a workable philosophy for daily life.

The Guardian

"The Norma Talmadge Collection" from Kino International corrects that lamentable situation by offering two Talmadge features from her glory years: the 1926 comedy "Kiki," directed by Clarence Brown, and the 1923 melodrama "Within the Law," directed by Frank Lloyd.

The New York Times

"We are afraid this lamentable situation could continue for some time".

Los Angeles Times

This lamentable situation, they argued, was entirely due to the outcome of the local battle between science and the clinic in which the Glasgow School was, consistently and vocally, on the "clinicians' side, in debates as to who the final arbiter of good medical knowledge was to be".

Bulletin of the History of Medicine

It is a "lamentable" story.

The Guardian

"It has been a lamentable incident.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lamentable situation" to describe circumstances that evoke feelings of sadness, disappointment, or regret, particularly when emphasizing the unfortunate nature of events beyond simple inconvenience.

Common error

While "a lamentable situation" is grammatically correct, reserve its use for formal or semi-formal writing. In casual conversation, consider using simpler phrases like "that's too bad" or "that's unfortunate" to convey the same sentiment without sounding overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lamentable situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "lamentable" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "situation". It describes the situation as being regrettable or unfortunate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lamentable situation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe a regrettable or unfortunate circumstance. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this phrase. It is most commonly found in news and media, academic, and science-related contexts, indicating a neutral register. While effective in conveying disappointment or sorrow, consider its slightly formal tone and opt for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Related phrases, such as "a regrettable circumstance" or "an unfortunate state of affairs", offer similar meanings with varying degrees of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A regrettable circumstance

Replaces "lamentable" with "regrettable", focusing on the feeling of regret associated with the situation.

An unfortunate state of affairs

Substitutes both "lamentable" and "situation" with more neutral terms, emphasizing the negative outcome.

A deplorable predicament

Replaces "lamentable" with "deplorable" indicating strong disapproval and "situation" with "predicament", suggesting a difficult or dangerous situation.

A sorrowful state

Focuses on the sadness or grief associated with the situation.

A woeful condition

Emphasizes the distress and misery caused by the situation.

A tragic occurrence

Highlights the severity and unfortunate nature of the event.

A dismal outlook

Shifts the focus to the pessimistic prospects or future implications of the situation.

A grim reality

Emphasizes the harsh and unpleasant truth of the situation.

A depressing scenario

Highlights the disheartening and discouraging aspects of the situation.

A bleak prospect

Focuses on the lack of hope or positive outcomes associated with the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a lamentable situation" in a sentence?

"A lamentable situation" is typically used to describe an unfortunate or regrettable circumstance. For example, "The lack of funding for the arts program is a lamentable situation."

What are some alternatives to "a lamentable situation"?

Some alternatives to "a lamentable situation" include "a regrettable circumstance", "an unfortunate state of affairs", or "a deplorable predicament".

Is "a lamentable situation" formal or informal?

"A lamentable situation" leans towards formal usage due to the word "lamentable". Simpler phrases might be more appropriate in informal settings.

What does "lamentable" mean in the context of "a lamentable situation"?

In this context, "lamentable" means regrettable or unfortunate. It emphasizes the negative and disappointing aspects of the situation.