how shameful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'how shameful' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is embarrassing or disgraceful. For example: "It was heartbreaking to hear about the child who went hungry and had to go to school without breakfast. How shameful!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

How shameful and pretentious".

The New Yorker

How silly, how shameful.

The Guardian - Books

How shameful and pathetic of him.

The Guardian - Music

How freakishly impolite, how shameful, to let these things be revealed by one's language.

The New Yorker

How shameful to deprive the helpless and disenfranchised for the sake of the bottom line!

The New York Times

She doesn't understand how shameful it is to write such things on paper".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Reid also said, "The Republican House leadership have only a couple of hours to look in the mirror, snap out of it and realize how truly shameful they have been" — "shameless" would have worked there, too.

The New Yorker

Butterfield went on to write about how "profoundly shameful it is that there even ever had to be a 'civil rights movement'".

TechCrunch

She added: "You might expect such an inquiry in some other less industrialized nations but here in the 21st century it leaves us asking just what has gone so badly wrong and how this shameful situation has been reached in just over five years of Tory mismanagement".

Vice

Anyway, in this one piece (click if you must) he gives us a list of "shamefuls," like how "It is shameful to throw a 76-year-old man into prison for unlawful sex committed 32 years ago".

Huffington Post

It's shameful how the powers are abusing the 99 percent".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how shameful" to express strong disapproval or regret in situations where ethical or moral standards have been violated. It is effective for conveying personal feelings or prompting reflection on the behavior of others.

Common error

Avoid using "how shameful" for minor inconveniences or trivial matters. Reserve it for situations involving genuine moral failings or significant breaches of conduct to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how shameful" primarily functions as an exclamatory expression, used to convey a strong sense of disapproval, indignation, or moral outrage. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, aligning with examples expressing strong negative sentiment toward certain actions or situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how shameful" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for expressing strong disapproval or regret. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across various reliable sources. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it primarily appears in news and media contexts, indicating its suitability for formal and neutral registers. When using this phrase, reserve it for situations with genuine moral or ethical implications and be mindful of its potential to evoke strong emotional responses. Alternatives like "how disgraceful" or "what a disgrace" can be used to convey similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how disgraceful

Replaces "shameful" with a stronger term emphasizing moral offense.

what a disgrace

Rephrases the sentiment as a direct statement of shamefulness.

how appalling

Emphasizes the shocking and upsetting nature of the situation.

how deplorable

Focuses on the contemptible and reprehensible nature of the action.

how regrettable

Shifts focus to the feeling of disappointment and sorrow.

how scandalous

Highlights the aspect of public outrage and shock.

how embarrassing

Highlights the awkwardness or humiliation of the situation.

how ignominious

Emphasizes the loss of honor or reputation.

how humiliating

Focuses on the feeling of being degraded or lowered in status.

how unworthy

Shifts the focus to the lack of merit or value in the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "how shameful" in a sentence?

You can use "how shameful" to express a strong feeling of disapproval or regret. For example, "How shameful that they would treat their employees that way!"

What phrases are similar to "how shameful"?

Similar phrases include "how disgraceful", "what a disgrace", or "how appalling", which all convey a sense of moral indignation or disappointment.

Is there a difference between "how shameful" and "how regrettable"?

"How shameful" implies a moral failing or a breach of conduct, while "how regrettable" focuses more on disappointment or sorrow about a situation. The first is about blame; the second is about sadness.

When is it appropriate to use "how shameful" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "how shameful" when addressing situations involving unethical behavior, moral failings, or actions that warrant strong disapproval. It should be used judiciously to maintain its impact and avoid trivializing serious issues.