crying shame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crying shame" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something very bad or unfortunate. For example: "It was a crying shame that the band had to cancel their concert due to the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a crying shame.

The New York Times

And that's a crying shame.

The New York Times

Which is a crying shame.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a crying shame.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That is a crying shame.

The Guardian

"I thought, it's a crying shame.

The New York Times - Health

Which would be a crying shame.

The Guardian - Travel

A crying shame, considering his talent.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a crying shame more don't.

The Guardian

"It was no crying shame to demolish it".

The New York Times

The Wall Street crooks were back, too -- a crying shame.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crying shame" to express strong disapproval or disappointment about a situation that should be different. It's best suited when something has gone wrong that could have been avoided.

Common error

While "crying shame" is widely understood, it can sound melodramatic in formal writing. Opt for phrases like "matter for regret" or "unfortunate situation" in professional communications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crying shame" functions as a noun phrase that expresses a subjective assessment of a situation as being regrettable or disgraceful. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crying shame" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to express strong disappointment or regret about an unfortunate situation. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to convey a sense of something being regrettable or disgraceful. While versatile, its use should be moderated in formal contexts, where more neutral expressions might be more appropriate. Alternatives like "awful shame" or "matter for regret" can offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality. The phrase scores highly for expert rating, affirming its established usage and source authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awful shame

Replaces "crying" with "awful" maintaining the emphasis on the negative nature of the situation.

sad state of affairs

Focuses on the unfortunate condition or situation, rather than the emotional response.

real pity

Expresses regret or sorrow, focusing on the feeling of compassion for the negative situation.

grave disappointment

Emphasizes the feeling of letdown and unfulfillment that the situation brings.

deep regret

Focuses on the strong feeling of remorse or disappointment associated with the situation.

great misfortune

Highlights the aspect of bad luck or adversity associated with the situation.

matter for regret

Highlights that the situation is something to be sorry about or to rue.

deplorable situation

Focuses on the reprehensible nature of the situation, emphasizing its unacceptability.

cause for lament

Emphasizes the act of mourning or expressing sorrow over something.

tragic loss

Emphasizes the element of irreversible loss and sorrow in the situation.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "crying shame" in a sentence?

You can use "crying shame" to express disappointment or disapproval, as in "It's a "crying shame" that the historical building was demolished."

What's a more formal alternative to "crying shame"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "matter for regret" or "unfortunate situation" instead of ""crying shame"".

Is "crying shame" an appropriate phrase to use in professional writing?

While generally understood, ""crying shame"" may be too informal or emotional for professional writing. Choose a more neutral expression like "unfortunate development" instead.

What are some similar phrases to "crying shame" that express regret?

Alternatives to ""crying shame"" include "awful shame", "real pity", or "great misfortune", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.