laments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing sorrow, regret, or mourning over something, often in a literary or formal context. Example: "She laments the loss of her childhood home, reminiscing about the memories it held."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Opinion

Sport

Lifestyle

Books

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gone are the old certainties of how decisions were made "by having lunch with an MP, or taking a journalist out," laments one.

The Guardian

The album was angry in a way that still sounds relevant: "got no privacy, got no liberty because the 20th-century people took them away from me," Davies laments on the opening track.

The Guardian - Music

Related: Nigerian laureate Wole Soyinka laments 'vicious, unprincipled' election He complained of irregularities, however, including alleged APC voters who were underage or brought in from neighbouring Chad and Niger.

The Guardian

But given she's apparently now happy and contented, and has devoted much of the past 18 months to motherhood, will her new songs capture the public imagination the way the heartbroken laments of 21 did?

The Guardian

"It's a real marmite city, but if you persevere you are rewarded with views that the country's only real ocean city can give"); Manchester ("there's just too much to say about the city I call home," laments munichguy21); and even little old London, with "the magic ingredient of what makes London great.

The Guardian

Brand – who has attempted to position himself as an anti-corporate, anti-politics agitator – also laments the power of the "establishment" and "old media".

The Guardian

Sparks laments the lack of female role models now, making an exception for Ke$ha, whom she thinks follows their subversive lineage.

The Guardian - Music

There's Claudia, who doesn't "have a lot of black friends" yet laments that "you can't even talk about fried chicken or Kool-Aid without wondering if someone's going to get offended".

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a measure of the clásico that Bale will miss out because of a muscle injury but the laments have been limited.

The Guardian - Sport

The Blacklips performed a surreal burlesque during which Hegarty rehearsed his spellbinding laments, in a show that also occasionally involved throwing offal and buckets of blood at the audience.

The Guardian - Music

Purchases this week have confirmed my worst suspicions about the mangoes available in this country; as Sodha laments: "The season for alphonso mangoes is short, and our supermarkets prefer selling unripe Brazilian mangoes as they have longer seasons and are hardier".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "laments" when you want to express a formal or literary tone of sorrow or regret. It's particularly effective when discussing broader societal or cultural issues rather than personal grievances.

Common error

Avoid using "laments" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or pretentious in contexts where simpler words like "regrets" or "is sad about" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

Laments functions primarily as a verb, indicating an expression of sorrow or regret. It often appears when someone is expressing disappointment over something that has occurred or is occurring. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, aligning with the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Music

9%

Opinion

6%

Less common in

Sport

4%

Lifestyle

3%

Books

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laments" is a verb used to express sorrow or regret, often in a formal or literary context. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, as demonstrated by numerous examples from diverse sources such as The Guardian and The Economist. While grammatically sound and frequently used, it's best to avoid "laments" in casual settings, opting instead for simpler alternatives like "regrets" or "is sad about". Related phrases include "bemoans" and "mourns", each carrying slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bemoans

Expresses strong disapproval or regret, similar to lamenting but often with a sense of protest.

mourns

Signifies deep sorrow, typically associated with death or significant loss, conveying a stronger emotional weight than "laments".

regrets

Indicates a feeling of sorrow or disappointment about something that has happened or been done, often more personal than "laments".

deplores

Expresses strong disapproval or condemnation of something, adding a layer of moral judgment not always present in "laments".

bewails

Expresses great sorrow or regret, often in a demonstrative way, similar to lamenting but potentially more dramatic.

grieves

Indicates deep sorrow or mental suffering, usually caused by a specific loss, with a focus on the emotional experience.

sorrows

Experiences or expresses sorrow, often related to a personal misfortune or loss, with a more passive connotation than "laments".

mourns for

Expresses sorrow specifically for something or someone lost, emphasizing the object of grief.

is saddened by

Indicates a feeling of sorrow or unhappiness caused by a specific event or situation, often milder than "laments".

cries over

Implies intense emotional distress and sorrow, focusing on the act of weeping as a manifestation of grief.

FAQs

How can I use "laments" in a sentence?

"Laments" is often used to express sorrow or regret about something. For example: "The author "laments" the loss of traditional values in modern society."

What are some alternatives to using "laments"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "bemoans", "mourns", or "regrets". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is "laments" formal or informal?

"Laments" typically carries a formal or literary tone. In informal contexts, simpler words like "is sad about" or "regrets" may be more suitable.

What is the difference between "laments" and "mourns"?

"Mourns" often implies a deeper sense of sorrow, typically associated with loss or death, while "laments" can express a broader range of regret or sorrow. To "mourn" suggests a profound sense of grief.