it is rather sad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is rather sad" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of disappointment or sorrow about a situation or event. Example: "When I heard that the concert was canceled, I thought to myself, it is rather sad that we won't get to see our favorite band perform live."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

To the Editor: Considering the heroism and endurance that permitted the young Louis Begley and his mother to survive far greater ravages in Nazi-occupied Poland than aging in New York, it is rather sad to read that age has been projected so negatively for their late-life legacy.

The New York Times

People thought it somehow fitted with the mood of the 80s, but if anything that sort of resigned acceptance of things has got worse and it is rather sad that the play appears to be even more apposite now than it was then".

The Guardian

The second reason given was that: "Lord Wilson's own failing memory and increasing tendency (demonstrated during his last visit in 1983) to indulge in irrelevant and repetitive reminiscences … It is rather sad that we should be put in this position which we should much prefer to avoid; but Lord Wilson shows no sign of calling a halt to his overseas travel".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In its own way, it's rather sad.

Huffington Post

It's rather sad".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is, but I think it's rather sad.

Independent

"It was rather sad and not intended but it turned out fine," he said.

The New York Times

It's rather sad this has to be argued at all, but at least someone's doing it.

The Guardian

"It's rather sad the prosecutor's office gave the material to the media rather than the victim's family".

The Guardian

It's not the Royal Mail's fault that nobody writes letters any more, but it's rather sad.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's rather sad and humiliating – here they are, these two women, fighting it out to see how alluring they can be to men.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is rather sad" to express a mild sense of disappointment or sorrow when something doesn't meet expectations or when faced with an unfortunate situation. It's suitable for expressing empathy or concern without being overly dramatic.

Common error

Avoid overusing the phrase, as it can become repetitive. Vary your expressions of sadness or disappointment by using alternative phrases like "it's quite unfortunate" or "it's a real shame" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is rather sad" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a mild degree of disappointment or sorrow. Ludwig's examples show it's used to comment on unfortunate or less-than-ideal situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is rather sad" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express mild disappointment or sorrow. According to Ludwig, it functions as an evaluative statement, often used to convey empathy or acknowledge an unfortunate situation without being overly dramatic. It maintains a neutral tone suitable for a variety of contexts, predominantly appearing in News & Media. While the phrase is valid and commonly used, it's important to consider alternative expressions to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's quite unfortunate

Replaces "rather sad" with "quite unfortunate" for a slightly more formal tone.

it's quite disappointing

Substitutes "sad" with "disappointing" emphasizing a feeling of unmet expectations.

it is deeply regrettable

Uses "deeply regrettable" for a more formal and profound expression of sorrow.

it's a real shame

Employs "a real shame" for a more colloquial expression of disappointment.

it's a pity

Utilizes "a pity" for a simple and direct expression of sadness or regret.

it's somewhat disheartening

Replaces "sad" with "disheartening" to highlight the loss of morale or enthusiasm.

it is somewhat unfortunate

Uses "somewhat unfortunate" for a milder expression of regret.

it is a source of sorrow

Employs a more emotive and formal expression of sadness.

it is a matter of regret

Highlights the feeling of regret associated with a situation.

that's rather unfortunate

Swaps "it is" with "that's" for a less formal tone, also using "unfortunate" for sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "it is rather sad" in a sentence?

Use "it is rather sad" to express a mild sense of disappointment or sorrow about a situation. For example, "It is rather sad that the event was canceled at the last minute."

What can I say instead of "it is rather sad"?

You can use alternatives such as "it's quite unfortunate", "it's a pity", or "it's disappointing", depending on the context.

Is "it is rather sad" formal or informal?

"It is rather sad" falls in the neutral to slightly formal register. It is suitable for most contexts but might be replaced by more emphatic or colloquial expressions in informal conversation.

Which is correct, "it is rather sad" or "it is very sad"?

Both "it is rather sad" and "it is very sad" are grammatically correct. "Rather" implies a slightly milder degree of sadness compared to "very".