sad but typical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sad but typical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of resignation or acceptance regarding a situation that is unfortunate yet expected or common. Example: "The news of the company's layoffs was sad but typical in this economic climate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

SAD but typical.

The Economist

It's a small-minded politics that's exasperating to everyone especially to the people who do it anyway and it's sad but typical and what are you going to do, just get cynical and eat some more ice cream.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Re George Vecsey's column "College Sports Need to Start All Over" (Dec. 16): How sad but how very typical for someone in the news media to focus on the very few negatives of college athletics.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was a very sad chapter in my mother's life," Mr. Kron said, "But typical of my mother, she turned my sister's death into a new beginning for her".

The New York Times

But his story is anything but typical.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, it is anything but typical.

The New Yorker

But typical this concert was not.

The New York Times - Arts

But typical FTSE executives are quite different.

Independent

Wrong on five counts, but typical.

The Economist

The food is anything but typical.

Forbes

Kirn's memoir reflects a certain sad wisdom typical of those who have gone through the initiation and submersion, only to emerge whole, somehow, on the other side.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sad but typical" to convey a sense of resignation when describing an unfortunate event that is, unfortunately, commonplace.

Common error

Avoid using "sad but typical" in highly formal or academic writing; opt for more objective and detached language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sad but typical" functions as an adjective phrase that expresses a subjective assessment of a situation. According to Ludwig AI, it conveys a sense of resignation or acceptance regarding something unfortunate yet expected.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sad but typical" effectively communicates a blend of disappointment and acceptance towards an unfortunate situation that is also common. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, especially in news and media contexts. While suitable for general communication, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "unfortunately commonplace" in professional or academic settings. Understanding its nuanced meaning and context allows for more precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sadly predictable

Highlights the sadness associated with something that was expected.

sorrowfully expected

Combines the emotion of sadness with the anticipation of the event.

regrettably predictable

Emphasizes the disappointment associated with the expected outcome.

distressingly familiar

Focuses on the negative feeling associated with something that is known to occur.

regrettably standard

Highlights the regret or disappointment around something that is considered normal.

depressingly routine

Highlights the repetitive and disheartening nature of the situation.

unfortunately commonplace

Focuses on the frequency of the event, highlighting its common occurrence.

unhappily standard

Emphasizes the lack of joy associated with something considered normal.

tragically ordinary

Emphasizes the unfortunate nature of a common event.

alas, unsurprising

Uses a more literary tone to express a lack of surprise at a disappointing event.

FAQs

How can I use "sad but typical" in a sentence?

You can use "sad but typical" to express a sense of resignation about an unfortunate situation that is also commonplace. For example, "The low voter turnout was "sad but typical" for a local election".

What's a more formal alternative to "sad but typical"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "unfortunately commonplace" or "regrettably predictable" instead of "sad but typical" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "sad but typical" grammatically correct?

Yes, "sad but typical" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express a resigned acceptance of an unfortunate but expected situation.

What's the difference between "sad but typical" and "sad but true"?

"Sad but typical" implies that something is both unfortunate and common, while "sad but true" simply indicates that something is unfortunate and factual. "Sad but typical" focuses on frequency, whereas "sad but true" emphasizes veracity.