alas

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "alas" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an interjection expressing grief, regret, or disappointment. It is typically used at the beginning of a sentence. Example: Alas, I don't have enough money to buy a new car.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some alas get papers accepted and then don't turn up, just to have the CV hit.

The Guardian

But declaring China a market economy for the purposes of subsidies, and a non-market economy for the purposes of anti-dumping, is against WTO rules.Nobody in Congress, alas, seems to care about breaking WTO rules.

The Economist

Such accounting tricks, alas, are common in Japan.

The Economist

Countries that take only their own interests into account (such places do exist, alas) may impose controls that are too strict, diverting cascades of hot money elsewhere.

The Economist

No such luck, alas.

The New York Times

But, alas, they just didn't have any policies at the moment.

The Guardian - Opinion

And, alas, two weeks after I had berated the JW Anderson sales assistant for not stocking a blue and white striped menswear shirt I wanted badly on its womenswear rails.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The solution It's really black or ordinary white coffee that is linked to health benefits, not, alas, the creamy, sugary versions from coffee shops.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The evidence, alas, is growing that the Jazz Age author may have been deadly accurate in this latter assessment.

The Guardian - Money

The reality, alas, is more mundane and varied.

The Guardian - Tech

These days, alas, Cowell is rather diminished – but so is our politics (almost inconceivably, given how shocking things were before).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing. "Alas" is more suitable for formal or literary contexts than casual conversations.

Common error

Avoid using "alas" in everyday conversation. It can sound affected or out of touch, diminishing your message's impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "alas" is that of an interjection. It's used to express a feeling or emotion, typically sorrow, regret, or disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it usually appears at the beginning of a sentence to set the tone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "alas" functions as an interjection used to express sorrow, regret, or disappointment. As Ludwig AI validates, its usage is grammatically correct and appears predominantly in formal contexts such as news and media. While "alas" is a valid word, its use in everyday conversations may sound unnatural or melodramatic, making it more appropriate for formal writing or when aiming for a particular dramatic effect. Consider alternatives like "unfortunately" or "sadly" for more common expressions of regret.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alack

An archaic synonym of "alas", conveying a similar sense of sorrow.

unfortunately

Replaces "alas" with a more common and straightforward expression of regret.

sadly

Conveys a sense of sorrow or unhappiness, similar to "alas".

regrettably

Indicates that something is regrettable or unfortunate.

I'm afraid

Introduces bad news or expresses reluctance, sharing a similar function to "alas".

it is a pity

Expresses a feeling of sadness or disappointment about something.

to my dismay

Highlights the speaker's feeling of distress or disappointment.

woe is me

A more dramatic and self-pitying expression of sorrow.

what a shame

Indicates that something is regrettable or disappointing.

by bad luck

Implies an unfortunate or unlucky event.

FAQs

How can I use "alas" in a sentence?

"Alas" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence to express sorrow, regret, or disappointment. For example, "Alas, I don't have enough money to buy a new car."

What can I say instead of "alas"?

You can use alternatives like "unfortunately", "sadly", or "regrettably" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "alas" in modern writing?

Yes, it is correct, but it's more common in formal writing or when trying to create a specific tone. Be mindful of your audience and the overall style of your writing.

What is the difference between "alas" and "alack"?

"Alas" and "alack" are very similar in meaning and usage, both expressing sorrow or regret. "Alack" is considered more archaic than "alas".