and alas

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and alas" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express sorrow, regret, or disappointment about a situation. Example: "I had hoped for a sunny day for our picnic, but, and alas, it rained all afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And, alas, opinions.

The New York Times

And, alas, my phone died.

Independent

And alas, maybe somewhat over.

The New York Times

And, alas, there are thongs.

The New York Times - Style

But alas, prematurely, and alas, disastrously.

The New York Times - Arts

A happy ending, and, alas, fiction.

The New York Times

And, alas, there are no nude bodysuits.

The New York Times

And, alas, the characters aren't that interesting.

The New York Times - Books

And alas, steal it he did!

The Guardian - Books

It wasn't going anywhere — and, alas, it wasn't fully operative.

The New Yorker

And, alas, the rooftop garden is no longer a cooperative.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and alas" to add a touch of dramatic irony or mild lament to a statement, especially when recounting events with a slightly detached or literary tone.

Common error

Avoid using "and alas" in casual conversation or informal writing where it might sound overly theatrical or pretentious. Simpler alternatives like "unfortunately" or "sadly" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and alas" functions as an adverbial conjunction, expressing regret or disappointment. It connects a preceding statement with a subsequent unfortunate outcome. Ludwig shows its use to introduce a negative turn of events or a lamentable situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "and alas" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express regret or disappointment, effectively functioning as an adverbial conjunction. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears most frequently in News & Media, lending a touch of formality and literary flair to the narrative. While versatile, it's best reserved for contexts where its slightly elevated tone is appropriate, avoiding overuse in casual settings. For simpler expressions of regret, consider alternatives such as "unfortunately" or "sadly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunately

This alternative directly expresses that something unfavorable has occurred.

sadly

This emphasizes the feeling of sadness associated with the situation.

regrettably

Highlights the speaker's regret concerning the situation.

alas

A direct synonym, offering the same level of formality and emotional expression but omits the conjunction.

to my dismay

Emphasizes personal disappointment at the turn of events.

to my disappointment

Clearly states the feeling of disappointment experienced.

it is with regret

A more formal way to introduce unwelcome information.

as it turned out

Focuses on the unexpected and often negative outcome of a situation.

in a regrettable turn of events

Describes the situation as an unfortunate sequence of happenings.

by ill luck

Attributes the negative outcome to bad fortune.

FAQs

How can I use "and alas" in a sentence?

You can use "and alas" to express disappointment or regret about a situation. For example, "I had hoped for a sunny day, and alas, it rained all afternoon."

What words can I use instead of "and alas"?

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

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "and alas"?

While grammatically acceptable, starting a sentence with "and alas" can sometimes sound awkward. It's generally smoother to integrate it within the sentence or after an initial clause.

What's the difference between "and alas" and simply "alas"?

"And alas" adds a conjunction, linking the statement to a previous one and creating a smoother flow. "Alas" by itself is a more abrupt expression of sorrow or regret.