but alas

USAGE SUMMARY

"but alas" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing regret or disappointment about something. For example, "I was hoping to travel more this year, but alas, I have to stay home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But alas, poor Dippy!

Independent

But alas, it is.

The Economist

But alas, no.

The New York Times - Magazine

But, alas, illusory.

The New York Times

But alas, G.M.O.

The New York Times

But, alas, not so.

The New Yorker

but, alas, untrue".

The New Yorker

But, alas, we split.

The New Yorker

But, alas, I doubt it.

The New York Times - Books

"But, alas it won't last.

The Guardian

But alas, it's too late.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but alas" to introduce a contrasting element that leads to a disappointing outcome or realization. It's most effective when the initial statement creates an expectation that is then subverted.

Common error

Avoid using "but alas" too frequently in casual conversation or informal writing. Its somewhat formal and literary tone can sound affected or out of place if overused. Consider more natural alternatives like "unfortunately" or "sadly" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but alas" functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas while emphasizing the disappointing nature of the second idea. It introduces a sense of regret or resignation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but alas" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunction phrase employed to introduce a disappointing or unfortunate outcome. As Ludwig AI suggests, it effectively conveys regret or resignation. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, as shown by Ludwig, the phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse writing contexts. While versatile, its slightly formal nature warrants mindful application in casual settings. Consider alternatives such as "unfortunately" or "sadly" for less formal communication. Overall, "but alas" is a valuable tool for expressing disappointment with a touch of literary flair.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but regrettably

Directly replaces "alas" with "regrettably" after the conjunction "but".

but sadly

Substitutes "alas" with "sadly" to convey the disappointment more directly.

however, regrettably

Replaces "but alas" with synonyms that explicitly express regret, maintaining a similar level of formality.

but unhappily

Replaces "alas" with "unhappily" after "but".

unfortunately, though

Inverts the structure and uses "unfortunately" to convey disappointment while retaining a contrasting element with "though".

sadly, however

Similar to "unfortunately, though", it uses "sadly" to directly express the negative emotion.

however, sadly

Similar to "sadly, however" but with a slightly different word order.

yet, regrettably

Emphasizes the contrast with "yet" and reinforces the feeling of disappointment with "regrettably".

regrettably, though

Mirrors "unfortunately, though" by placing the adverb of regret first.

alas, however

Inverts the structure of the original phrase to express the same sentiment.

FAQs

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

Use "but alas" to introduce a disappointing or unfortunate outcome following a contrasting statement. For example, "I hoped to finish the project this week, but alas, unforeseen issues arose".

What's a more informal alternative to "but alas"?

In casual contexts, you can use phrases like "unfortunately", "sadly", or simply "but" to convey a similar sentiment of disappointment.

Which is correct, "but alas" or "alas but"?

"But alas" is the more common and grammatically accepted construction. "Alas but" is less frequently used and may sound archaic or unusual to modern ears.

What feeling does "but alas" convey?

"But alas" typically conveys a feeling of disappointment, regret, or resignation about an unfavorable outcome or situation.