great pity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great pity" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express strong regret or sorrow for a situation or someone's actions. Example: It was a great pity that the talented musician could not pursue their dreams due to financial constraints.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a great pity.

The New York Times - Sports

What a great pity.

The Guardian

This is a great pity.

The Economist

It is a great pity.

University of California, Berkeley

That was a great pity.

The New Yorker

This would be a great pity.

The New York Times

"It is a great pity," says McKellen.

Independent

And that will be a great pity.

The Guardian - Sport

"That was a great pity," he said.

The New York Times

And this is a great pity.

The Guardian - Books

It's a great pity, too," she said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great pity" to express sincere regret or disappointment, especially when something could have been better or more favorable. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "great pity" sarcastically or lightly. Its strength lies in expressing genuine regret, so using it casually can diminish its impact and sound insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great pity" functions primarily as an expression of regret or sorrow. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used to convey a strong sense of disappointment or sadness regarding a particular situation or event. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, from political commentary to personal reflections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great pity" is a phrase used to express a strong feeling of regret or sorrow. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as in academic writing. While generally neutral to formal in register, its impact is greatest when used to express genuine and sincere disappointment. When writing, remember to reserve this phrase for situations where such gravity is warranted and avoid casual usage. Alternatives like ""it's a shame"" or ""deep regret"" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's a shame

This alternative is a common and slightly less formal way to express regret.

it's regrettable

This alternative is a more direct and concise expression of regret.

deep regret

This alternative emphasizes the intensity of the regret felt.

matter of regret

This alternative presents the situation as something that causes regret.

cause for sorrow

This alternative highlights the sadness associated with the situation.

unfortunate situation

This alternative focuses on the negative circumstances rather than the feeling of regret.

deplorable situation

This alternative conveys a strong sense of disapproval and regret about the circumstances.

grave misfortune

This alternative emphasizes the seriousness and negative impact of the event.

lamentable occurrence

This alternative is a more formal and emphatic way to describe an unfortunate event.

sadly

This alternative is a simple adverb to introduce a statement of regret.

FAQs

How can I use "great pity" in a sentence?

You can use "great pity" to express regret about a situation. For example, "It is a "great pity" that the event was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "great pity"?

Some alternatives to "great pity" include "deep regret", "it's a shame", or "unfortunate situation" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "great pity" or "great shame"?

"Great pity" and "great shame" are quite similar. "Great pity" might suggest a deeper sense of sorrow, while "great shame" could imply something dishonorable or disappointing. Choose based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "great pity"?

Avoid using "great pity" in situations where lightheartedness or humor is expected. It's best reserved for expressing genuine regret or sorrow, as using it sarcastically may be perceived negatively.