pity about

USAGE SUMMARY

"pity about" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you feel sorry or disappointed about something. For example, "It's a pity about the weather today. I was hoping to go for a walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Pity about the book.

The Economist

Pity about the carbon.

The Economist

And: Pity about that one.

The New Yorker

Pity about the niggles.

The Guardian - Travel

Pity about the Africans,' " he said.

The New Yorker

Pity about the blonde, though".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

But her generation believes in self-pity about as much as it believes in self-esteem.

The New York Times

He does not evince any self-pity about his mental illness and actually seems ambivalent about it.

The New York Times - Arts

She writes straightforwardly, without a trace of self-pity, about her decision, which was obviously fraught and difficult on many levels.

The New York Times

Something sad, with a lot of self-pity, about an honest, good man whose life and wife had both been cruel to him for no reason.

The New Yorker

One can sense the Murdoch press, now minus one large-circulation outlet but otherwise going strong, descending into self-pity about the phone-hacking scandal, even as its public statements are alternately contrite and defiant.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pity about" in writing, ensure that the context is clear and that the subject of the pity is easily identifiable to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "pity about" excessively in your writing, as it can make your tone sound repetitive or insincere. Mix it up with other expressions of regret, such as "it's a shame" or "unfortunately,".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pity about" functions as an interjectional expression of regret or disappointment. It is typically used to express a mild sense of sorrow or concern regarding a specific situation, as supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pity about" is a commonly used expression to convey regret or disappointment regarding a specific situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various communication styles, though more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or scientific writing. When aiming for empathy, consider softening its impact with phrases like "that's a shame" or "that's regrettable".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

too bad about

Uses a more casual expression, "too bad", instead of "pity", maintaining a similar meaning.

it's a shame concerning

Substitutes "pity" with "shame" and "about" with "concerning", creating a slightly less direct expression.

it's regrettable regarding

Replaces "pity" with "regrettable" and uses "regarding" for a more formal and softened expression of disappointment.

it's unfortunate regarding

Replaces "pity" with "unfortunate" and uses "regarding" instead of "about", resulting in a more formal tone.

how regrettable regarding

Expresses regret in a more emphatic way, using "how regrettable" and replacing "about" with "regarding".

it's a crying shame about

Adds emphasis to the sentiment using "crying shame" to express greater regret.

what a disappointment about

Emphasizes the disappointment using "what a disappointment" instead of simply stating "pity".

that's a sorrow about

Replaces "pity" with "sorrow", which conveys a deeper sense of sadness or regret.

it's a loss concerning

Uses "loss" instead of "pity" to highlight the negative consequence or deprivation.

it's a matter of regret about

Presents the situation as something to be regretted, using a more formal and considered tone.

FAQs

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

Use "pity about" to express regret or disappointment. For example, "It's a "pity about" the rain ruining our picnic."

What's a more formal alternative to "pity about"?

More formal alternatives include "it's unfortunate regarding" or "it's regrettable concerning". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it correct to say "pity for" instead of "pity about"?

While "pity for" expresses sympathy or compassion towards someone, "pity about" expresses regret or disappointment regarding a situation or event. They are not interchangeable.

What can I say instead of "pity about" to sound more empathetic?

To sound more empathetic, you could use phrases like "that's a shame" or "that's regrettable". These phrases convey a sense of understanding and sympathy.