lament about

USAGE SUMMARY

"lament about" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean "express sadness or regret about." Example sentence: He lamented about the missed opportunity that he had passed up.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

General conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lament about Leatherface?

The Guardian - Music

A familiar lament about movies like "G.I.

The New York Times

All this, and a tenant's futile lament about noise.

The New Yorker

Jack leads John Grant's marvellous lament about gay struggle, Glacier.

The Guardian - Music

Freud's lament about the risk-averse poor has two layers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Janney said he never heard anyone in his family lament about losing out on Secretariat.

The New York Times - Sports

That was long the lament about Britain's third-largest energy company, BG Group.

The Economist

This isn't a lament about declining standards of quality or the rude incursions of amateur bloggers.

The New York Times - Magazine

There's a honky-tonking lament about hard luck and heavy boozing ("Don't Drink the Water").

The New York Times - Arts

One song she rediscovered was "Lid fun Titanik," a Yiddish lament about the Titanic sinking.

The New York Times - Arts

The wish for crisis, and the wish to lament about the crisis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lament about", ensure the subject of lamentation is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what is being lamented: "He lamented about the missed opportunity."

Common error

While "lament about" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "complain about" or "feel bad about" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lament about" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating an expression of sorrow, regret, or grief concerning a particular subject or event. It describes the act of expressing these negative emotions, often in a vocal or written form. Ludwig's examples show this usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Music

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lament about" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that conveys sorrow or regret. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for expressing disappointment or grief regarding a specific issue. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news and media, as well as musical contexts. Although generally appropriate, it could be perceived as overly formal in casual settings; therefore, simpler alternatives might be more suitable for informal communication. Remember to clearly define the subject of lamentation to avoid any possible ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bemoan about

This is a direct synonym, suggesting a strong expression of sorrow or regret.

Lament over

Similar to "lament about", but with a slightly more formal tone.

Regret

Focuses on the feeling of sorrow or disappointment about something that has happened or been done.

Complain about

This alternative conveys a sense of dissatisfaction or grievance.

Mourn

Implies a deep sorrow, often associated with the loss of something or someone.

Sorrow over

Indicates a feeling of deep sadness or regret related to a specific event or circumstance.

Deplore

Conveys a strong disapproval or condemnation of something.

Grieve over

Highlights the experience of sorrow and sadness in response to a loss or difficulty.

Bewail

This suggests a more demonstrative expression of grief or sorrow, often in a public manner.

Wail about

Emphasizes a vocal expression of sorrow, often involving crying or lamenting.

FAQs

How can I use "lament about" in a sentence?

The phrase "lament about" is used to express feelings of sorrow or regret regarding a particular situation or event. For example: "She lamented about the closing of her favorite local bookstore."

What are some alternatives to saying "lament about"?

You can use alternatives like "complain about", "regret", or "mourn" to convey similar sentiments, depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "lament about" in formal or informal writing?

The phrase "lament about" leans towards formal writing due to its somewhat elevated tone. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives may be more suitable.

What is the difference between "lament about" and "complain about"?

"Lament about" suggests a deeper sense of sorrow or regret, while "complain about" typically implies dissatisfaction or grievance without the same level of sadness.