kind of lamentable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of lamentable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a mild sense of regret or disappointment about a situation or event. Example: "The outcome of the project was kind of lamentable, as we had high hopes for its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the fight over climate legislation, environmentalists' early rejection of a "safety valve" looks kind of lamentable in retrospect.

The New York Times

Defense Minister Williams Mansilla, who announced the deployment of elite soldiers from the Kaibil base in northern Guatemala on Thursday, said it was a "dissuasive measure in order to avoid these kind of lamentable incidents".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Glynis, who begins the book "stiff, uncooperative and inflexible," undergoes a lamentable kind of emotional growth after the cancer diagnosis: she develops full-blown schadenfreude.

The New York Times

Dismissed by Stephen Spender as "lamentable", they are the kind of jingoistic outpourings Sassoon had challenged in the first world war.

The Guardian - Books

That should cut the risk of lamentable choices when the General Assembly elects the new judges next month.

The Economist

High court judges accused the MoD of "lamentable" behaviour and serious breaches of its duty of candour.

The Guardian

"Suarez's attempt at a belated apology is nothing short of lamentable.

BBC

In Japan in particular, the retreat of activist investors is lamentable.At some firms vocal fund managers are being replaced by a new kind of activist: the government.

The Economist

In later life, Darwin said that he regretted that his mind had become "a kind of machine for grinding general laws out of large collections of facts" and that this had led to the "lamentable loss of the higher aesthetic tastes".

The New York Times - Arts

Kind of".

The New York Times

But there's an ouroboros element to women's insecurity: it's understandable, if lamentable, that they have trouble thinking of themselves as experts when four out of five of the pontificators in the mainstream media are males – and a very specific kind of male, at that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of lamentable" to express a nuanced and slightly understated sense of regret or disappointment, avoiding overly dramatic language.

Common error

Avoid using "kind of lamentable" in highly formal or professional documents where a more direct and impactful expression of regret may be more appropriate. Consider using alternatives like "regrettable" or "unfortunate" in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of lamentable" functions as an adverbial modifier softening the adjective "lamentable". It serves to qualify the degree of regret or disappointment being expressed. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kind of lamentable" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a mild degree of disappointment or regret. It functions as an adverbial modifier, softening the intensity of "lamentable". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage, while not overly common, is appropriate in neutral contexts, particularly within news and media, as derived from the examples. When striving for greater formality or impact, consider alternatives like "regrettable" or "unfortunate". The key takeaway is to use "kind of lamentable" when you aim for a nuanced, somewhat understated expression of regret.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat regrettable

Indicates a slight degree of regret, less emphatic than "lamentable".

mildly regrettable

Emphasizes the regret but in a softened and less intense way.

rather unfortunate

Highlights the negative aspect of a situation being unlucky or unfavorable.

a bit unfortunate

Similar to "rather unfortunate" but with a more casual tone.

a little unfortunate

Indicates a minor level of bad luck or adversity.

slightly disappointing

Focuses on the failure to meet expectations, softening the intensity of "lamentable".

a touch disappointing

Similar to 'slightly disappointing' with a more refined expression

sort of disappointing

Expresses a vague feeling of not meeting expectations.

somewhat unsatisfactory

Highlights the failure to satisfy requirements or expectations.

slightly undesirable

Focuses on the unwanted nature of a situation or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of lamentable" in a sentence?

"Kind of lamentable" is used to express a mild feeling of disappointment or regret. For example, you could say, "The project's outcome was "kind of lamentable", but we learned from the experience."

What phrases are similar to "kind of lamentable"?

Similar phrases include "somewhat regrettable", "rather unfortunate", or "slightly disappointing", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "kind of lamentable" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "kind of lamentable" might be perceived as somewhat informal for highly professional or academic writing. In such contexts, consider more direct alternatives like "regrettable" or "unfortunate".

What's the difference between "kind of lamentable" and "completely lamentable"?

"Kind of lamentable" expresses a moderate degree of disappointment or regret, suggesting the situation is somewhat unfortunate. "Completely lamentable" implies a much stronger, more profound sense of regret and disappointment, indicating a thoroughly unfortunate situation.