it was tragic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was tragic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that caused great sadness or distress. Example: "The news of the accident was shocking; it was tragic to see so many lives lost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was tragic.

The New York Times - Books

"It was tragic news.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was tragic," he says.

The Guardian - Business

It was tragic when I was".

The New York Times - Food

"It was tragic," he says, still sore.

The Guardian

"It was tragic, catastrophic," he said.

The New York Times

He said it was tragic to leave Iraq.

The Washington Post

"Yes, it was tragic, it was a terrible thing.

The Guardian - Film

They just had a free run and it was tragic.

The Guardian

My opponent — my opponent said that it was tragic to end the war in Iraq.

The New York Times

It was tragic to the extent that being human is tragic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was tragic" to clearly and directly express the deeply sorrowful or unfortunate nature of an event or situation. It's effective for conveying empathy and acknowledging the severity of the circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "it was tragic" in situations that are merely inconvenient or mildly disappointing. Save it for truly devastating or deeply sorrowful events to maintain its impact and avoid sounding melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was tragic" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a judgment about a past event or situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It serves to convey a sense of deep sorrow, misfortune, or calamity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was tragic" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey deep sorrow or misfortune. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to express empathy and acknowledge the severity of events. While versatile, it's best reserved for genuinely serious situations to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives such as "it was devastating" or "it was heartbreaking" can provide nuanced expressions of similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a tragedy

A more concise, noun-based expression of the same sentiment.

it was devastating

Emphasizes the overwhelming and destructive nature of the event.

it was heartbreaking

Focuses on the emotional pain and sorrow caused by the event.

it was grievous

Emphasizes the severity and seriousness of the suffering or loss.

it was calamitous

Highlights the disastrous and catastrophic nature of the event.

it was lamentable

Expresses regret and sorrow over the event.

it was unfortunate

Downplays the severity slightly, suggesting bad luck or a regrettable occurrence.

it was a crying shame

Expresses strong disapproval and regret, suggesting the event was particularly unfair or unjust.

it was deplorable

Conveys a sense of outrage and condemnation regarding the event.

it was a bitter pill to swallow

Implies that the event, situation or decision was deeply unpleasant and difficult to accept.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was tragic" to describe events that caused great suffering or loss. For example, "It was tragic that so many lives were lost in the earthquake".

What are some alternatives to saying "it was tragic"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "it was devastating", "it was heartbreaking", or "it was unfortunate".

Is "it was tragic" formal or informal?

"It was tragic" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more impactful when reserved for genuinely serious situations. It is not slang; it is considered neutral.

What's the difference between "it was tragic" and "it was sad"?

"It was tragic" implies a greater degree of suffering, loss, or misfortune than "it was sad". "Tragic" suggests a profound and often irremediable calamity, while "sad" can refer to a wider range of unhappy situations.