a pity that

USAGE SUMMARY

"a pity that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English and can be used to express regretful sympathy for a situation.
For example, "It's a pity that I can't come to your birthday party this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But what a pity that would be.

The Economist

It's a pity that Jessica Ford, the costume designer, has dressed neither performer attractively.

The New York Times

But it is a pity that system (1.1) does not have a positive equilibrium in the red area (IV).

Advances in Difference Equations

A pity that.

Huffington Post

A pity that, he thinks.

The New Yorker

"It's a pity that it's gone".

The New York Times

Such a pity that Greg Wise is so good-looking.

Independent

It is a pity that team will not be here.

The New York Times

What a pity that murky lighting subdued the effect!

The New York Times

"It was a pity that it didn't work out.

The New York Times

I just think it's a pity that they've been ignored".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a pity that" to express mild disappointment or regret about a situation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but avoid overusing it in very formal writing where stronger expressions might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "a pity that" when describing genuinely tragic or catastrophic events. It can sound dismissive or insensitive. Opt for stronger expressions of sorrow or concern in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pity that" functions as an exclamatory expression of regret or disappointment. It typically introduces a subordinate clause that explains the reason for the speaker's feeling of pity. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pity that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express mild regret or disappointment. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and widespread use. It is found most commonly in News & Media, followed by Science, and is generally considered neutral in register, making it versatile for various writing contexts. When expressing deeper sorrow, stronger alternatives should be considered. Be mindful of overuse in formal writing. This makes it very important to have a wide vocabulary and knowledge of alternatives like "it's unfortunate that", "it's regrettable that", or "it's a shame that". Finally, "a pity that" is a useful expression to have in your linguistic toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's a shame that

Substitutes "pity" with "shame", indicating a sense of loss or disapproval.

it's unfortunate that

Uses "unfortunate" instead of "pity", implying a slightly milder sense of regret.

it's disappointing that

Replaces "pity" with "disappointing", focusing on the feeling of unmet expectations.

it's sad that

Uses "sad" to express a direct emotional response of sorrow.

it's regrettable that

Employs "regrettable" to convey a more formal and serious tone of disappointment.

it's too bad that

Offers a more casual expression of disappointment.

it's a loss that

Highlights the aspect of something being lost or missed.

it's a crying shame that

Intensifies the expression of regret with the addition of "crying".

it's a matter of regret that

Frames the situation as something causing ongoing regret.

I regret that

Shifts the focus to a personal expression of regret.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pity that" to express regret or disappointment about a situation. For example, "It's "a pity that" the event was canceled".

What are some alternatives to saying "a pity that"?

You can use alternatives like "it's unfortunate that", "it's regrettable that", or "it's a shame that" to express similar sentiments.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a pity that"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It's a common and acceptable way to express regret or disappointment in both spoken and written English.

In what contexts is "a pity that" most appropriate?

"A pity that" is suitable for a variety of contexts, ranging from informal conversations to more formal writing. However, it's best used when expressing mild regret or disappointment rather than profound sorrow.