lamentable event

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lamentable event" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unfortunate or regrettable occurrence, often with a sense of sorrow or disappointment. Example: "The sudden closure of the beloved community center was a lamentable event for all the residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

THE murder of Mr Lincoln is a very great and very lamentable event, perhaps the greatest and most lamentable which has occurred since the coup d'etat, if not since Waterloo.

The Economist

Even when her sister Beatrice is afflicted with cholera and it seems like she might die, Margaret remains oddly detached, regarding this lamentable event as "interesting as well as sad".

The New York Times - Books

Our coverage of the assassination appeared in the issue of April 29th, 1865.THE murder of Mr Lincoln is a very great and very lamentable event, perhaps the greatest and most lamentable which has occurred since the coup d'etat, if not since Waterloo.

The Economist

"Even though (the prosecutors) were under a lot of pressure, they acted prudently and intelligently to pursue all lines of investigation to clear up this lamentable event," commented Duarte.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"After the lamentable events to which he was a protagonist, he has decided to take a period of reflection and prayer in view of his total reconciliation," the statement said.

The New York Times

Once he'd gone, they veered into tech, tech and more tech, with a lamentable outcome.

Forbes

And yet there is no unforeseen event that triggered this lamentable situation.

The Guardian - Business

"The result was lamentable.

Independent

In this thundering crypt above the rails, I see my life as pivoting about certain crucial, certain critical points, where the event determined the rest, the lamentable sequence that followed inexorably in its wake.

The New Yorker

In any case, the lack is lamentable and should be remedied.

The New York Times

The cycling campaign CTC and the all-party parliamentary cycling group, argue this is due to lack of investment in cycle lanes and infrastructure – a lamentable contrast to the multimillions found for stadiums and prestige events.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lamentable event" to describe a significant occurrence that evokes sorrow, regret, or disappointment. It's best suited for formal or serious contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "lamentable event" in informal or lighthearted situations. Its serious tone can sound out of place if the context doesn't warrant it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lamentable event" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "lamentable" modifies the noun "event". It is used to describe an occurrence that is regrettable or unfortunate, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lamentable event" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an unfortunate or regrettable occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal contexts and expresses a sense of sorrow or disappointment. While not very common, its usage in news and media highlights significant, unfortunate incidents. Related phrases like "unfortunate incident" or "regrettable occurrence" can be used as alternatives depending on the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunate incident

Replaces 'lamentable' with 'unfortunate' and 'event' with 'incident', offering a less formal tone.

regrettable occurrence

Substitutes 'lamentable' with 'regrettable' and 'event' with 'occurrence', emphasizing the feeling of regret.

unhappy affair

Uses 'unhappy' instead of 'lamentable' and 'affair' for 'event', suggesting a situation that caused sadness.

tragic happening

Replaces 'lamentable' with 'tragic' and 'event' with 'happening', intensifying the severity of the situation.

deplorable situation

Uses 'deplorable' instead of 'lamentable' and 'situation' for 'event', highlighting the reprehensible nature of the circumstance.

grievous episode

Substitutes 'lamentable' with 'grievous' and 'event' with 'episode', indicating a cause for deep sorrow.

calamitous affair

Replaces 'lamentable' with 'calamitous' and 'event' with 'affair', emphasizing the disastrous nature.

unfortunate development

Uses 'unfortunate' instead of 'lamentable' and 'development' for 'event', suggesting an undesirable turn of events.

sorry state of affairs

Employs a more idiomatic expression to convey a regrettable situation.

distressing incident

Substitutes 'lamentable' with 'distressing' and 'event' with 'incident', highlighting the emotional impact.

FAQs

How can I use "lamentable event" in a sentence?

You can use "lamentable event" to describe something unfortunate. For example, "The sudden closure of the factory was a "lamentable event" for the entire community."

What can I say instead of "lamentable event"?

You can use alternatives like "unfortunate incident", "regrettable occurrence", or "unhappy affair" depending on the context.

Is "lamentable event" formal or informal?

"Lamentable event" is generally considered a formal expression, suitable for serious or official contexts. More casual alternatives exist for informal situations.

What makes an event "lamentable"?

An event is considered "lamentable" when it causes sorrow, regret, or disappointment due to its unfortunate nature or consequences.