it was a pity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a pity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express regret, sorrow, sympathy, or disappointment. For example, "It was a pity that we couldn't make it to the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a pity.

The New Yorker

It was a pity they way they scored.

Independent

"It was a pity that it didn't work out.

The New York Times

It was a pity they had not arrived earlier".

The New Yorker

It was a pity that his evening ended early.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a pity that it got bitter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Their destruction wasn't camp; it was a pity.

The New Yorker

We didn't see that today and it was a pity".

The New York Times

He then sat down telling classmates it was a "pity" that she had not died instantly.

Independent

It was a pity, the sport is real tough sometimes, to lose all those points.

Independent

He said it was a pity that Serbia was not a Russian province.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was a pity" to express sympathy or regret in response to a specific event or situation. It is often followed by a 'that' clause explaining the reason for the feeling.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "it was a pity" in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more sophisticated synonyms like "it is regrettable" or "it is unfortunate" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a pity" functions as an expression of regret or disappointment. It typically introduces a statement about an undesirable situation or outcome. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was a pity" is a versatile phrase used to express regret, disappointment, or sympathy. It is grammatically correct and frequently used, as validated by Ludwig. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or highly professional settings. Ludwig's examples demonstrate that "it was a pity" commonly appears in News & Media sources and is useful for acknowledging unfavorable situations with a touch of sadness or understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's a shame

Uses "shame" instead of "pity" to convey a sense of regret.

it's regrettable

Replaces "pity" with "regrettable", which is more formal.

it's unfortunate

Substitutes "pity" with "unfortunate", indicating bad luck or an undesirable situation.

it's a disappointment

Emphasizes the feeling of letdown rather than sympathy.

it was a loss

Focuses on the aspect of something being lost or missing.

it's a crying shame

Adds emphasis to the feeling of regret or disappointment.

it's a matter of regret

Highlights the feeling of sorrow or remorse.

i regret that

Shifts the focus to personal regret.

what a shame

An exclamation expressing disappointment.

sadly

Expresses sorrow in a concise manner, often used as a sentence adverb.

FAQs

How can I use "it was a pity" in a sentence?

You can use "it was a pity" to express regret or disappointment about a situation. For example, "It was a pity that the event was canceled."

What's a more formal alternative to "it was a pity"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "it was unfortunate" or "it was regrettable".

Can I use "it is a pity" instead of "it was a pity"?

Yes, "it is a pity" is correct when referring to a present situation, while "it was a pity" refers to something in the past.

What are some similar phrases to "it was a pity"?

Similar phrases include "it was a shame", "it was disappointing", or "it was a loss".