it was shaming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was shaming" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or experience that caused feelings of shame or embarrassment. Example: "When I realized my mistake in front of everyone, it was shaming to admit I was wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Alan Duncan, the former international development minister, said it was shaming that Britain had not taken on its moral responsibility to recognise Palestine.

The Guardian

He said it was "shaming" that Mylan and Bresch were profiting "on the backs of sick children".

The Guardian - Business

It was shaming that the Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp, should even try to quibble by contending that the red card might not have been shown to Dawson since Dembélé had gone on to shoot.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Because it's shaming.

The Guardian - Film

It's shaming people.

The Guardian

It is shaming and demeaning.

Huffington Post

Maybe it was shame.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Afterwards, it was shame".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This wasn't fear — it was shame.

The New York Times

"It's shaming, really".

The Guardian - Books

Honestly, it's shaming!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was shaming" to emphasize the act of causing shame or humiliation, rather than simply expressing regret or disappointment. This phrasing is most effective when you want to highlight the agency or responsibility behind the shaming action.

Common error

Avoid using "it was shaming" in contexts where a simpler phrase like "it was a shame" or "it was embarrassing" would be more natural. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was shaming" functions as a descriptive statement, where "it" refers to a situation or action, "was" is the past tense of the verb "to be", and "shaming" serves as an adjective describing the quality of causing shame or embarrassment. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was shaming" is grammatically correct and conveys a sense of something causing shame or embarrassment. Ludwig AI validated its correctness and usability, although it is less frequently used than alternative expressions like "it was embarrassing" or "it was a shame". Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase serves to criticize and express disapproval, aiming to highlight the shameful nature of an event or behavior. While grammatically sound, writers should consider whether more common alternatives might be more suitable for their intended audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was embarrassing

Substitutes "shaming" with "embarrassing", focusing on the feeling of awkwardness or discomfort.

it was disgraceful

Replaces "shaming" with "disgraceful", indicating a higher degree of moral offense.

it was a source of embarrassment

Replaces "shaming" with a noun phrase centered on embarrassment.

it was humiliating

Replaces "shaming" with "humiliating", emphasizing a reduction in pride or dignity.

it was a mortifying experience

Substitutes the entire phrase with a description of the experience as mortifying.

it was a shame

Uses the more common idiom "a shame" to express regret or disappointment.

it brought shame

Shifts the focus to the action of causing shame, rather than describing the feeling itself.

it was a cause for shame

Emphasizes the reason or justification for feeling shame.

it made me ashamed

Changes the sentence to focus on the personal feeling of being ashamed.

it filled me with shame

Highlights the overwhelming feeling of shame experienced.

FAQs

What is an alternative to "it was shaming"?

You can use alternatives like "it was embarrassing", "it was humiliating", or "it was disgraceful" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Use "it was shaming" when you want to emphasize that something caused feelings of shame. For example, "It was shaming that the company's practices were exposed."

Is "it was shaming" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was shaming" is grammatically correct, although it's less commonly used than alternatives such as "it was a shame" or "it was embarrassing".

What is the difference between "it was shaming" and "it was a shame"?

"It was shaming" emphasizes the act of causing shame or embarrassment, while "it was a shame" expresses regret or disappointment about a situation.