a shame for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shame for" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used as an expression of sympathy or disdain, and is often used to describe an unfortunate situation or outcome. For example, "It's a shame for her to have to end her career so early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is a shame for humanity".

The New York Times

That would be a shame for Ethiopia.

The Economist

This is a shame for all Iraqis".

The New York Times

It's a shame for everyone.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a shame for the UK.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bill Pennington: Really a shame for Tiger.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's obviously a shame for Manu.

The Guardian - Sport

And it's a shame for creativity.

The New York Times - Magazine

(What a shame for the Aussies).

The Guardian - Sport

"It's a shame for the city.

The Guardian - Opinion

A shame for our family," she says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required by your writing. While "a shame for" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from synonyms like "unfortunate for" or "regrettable for".

Common error

Avoid using "a shame for" without specifying who or what is experiencing the negative impact. Vague usage can weaken your message. Instead of saying "It's a shame for everyone", be specific: "It's a shame for the fans who were looking forward to the event."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shame for" primarily functions as an evaluative expression, typically used to convey disappointment, regret, or a sense of misfortune concerning a particular situation or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to express sympathy or disdain.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0.1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a shame for" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express disappointment or regret. As Ludwig AI states, it's used as an expression of sympathy or disdain describing an unfortunate situation. It is versatile, appearing in neutral contexts like news and media, as well as in more formal settings. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines who or what is affected. While highly frequent, consider synonyms like "unfortunate for" or "a pity for" for stylistic variation or in more formal contexts. Remember to avoid vagueness in your sentences for better clarity. "A disgrace for", on the other hand, indicates something shameful, with a different usage pattern. All these nuances have been extracted and summarized by Ludwig, using a vast amount of examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's a pity for

Substitutes "shame" with "pity", indicating a feeling of sorrow or compassion.

unfortunate for

Replaces "shame" with "unfortunate", focusing on the negative circumstances.

that's a loss for

Focuses on the negative consequence or deprivation resulting from the situation.

it's disappointing for

Replaces "shame" with "disappointing", highlighting the unmet expectations.

it's regrettable for

Uses "regrettable" to convey a sense of sorrow or disappointment.

it's a blow for

Highlights the detrimental impact or setback caused by the situation.

it's a cause for regret for

Emphasizes the feeling of regret associated with the situation.

too bad for

An informal way of expressing disappointment.

sadly for

Uses "sadly" to express sorrow or unhappiness about the situation.

it's a disservice to

Indicates that someone or something is being treated unfairly or not receiving due respect.

FAQs

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

You can use "a shame for" to express disappointment or regret about a situation that negatively affects someone or something. For instance, "It's "a shame for" the team that their star player was injured."

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

Alternatives include "unfortunate for", "regrettable for", or "a pity for", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a shame for"?

Yes, "a shame for" is a correct and commonly used expression in English. It indicates that something is unfortunate or disappointing for a particular person or group.

What's the difference between "a shame for" and "a disgrace for"?

"A shame for" implies disappointment or misfortune, while "a disgrace for" suggests that something is shameful or dishonorable. The latter carries a stronger negative connotation.