so shameful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so shameful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of embarrassment or regret about a situation or action. Example: "The way he treated his colleagues was so shameful that it left everyone in disbelief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was so shameful.

The New Yorker

Self-publishing isn't so shameful.

The New Yorker

"That is so shameful.

The Guardian

"This is so serious, so shameful.

The Guardian - Sport

"What we had done was seen as so shameful.

The New York Times

"The Musharraf years were so shameful," he told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

"That is what is so shameful," the statement continued.

The New York Times

If this situation weren't so shameful, and so dangerous, it would be absurd.

The New York Times

It's so shameful that such a reliable source would define it so.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

What starts off as the system audibly making mistakes and correcting itself turns into berating passengers for walks of shame, ugly shirts and the oh-so-shameful act of tweeting with the window up.

Huffington Post

Girl on the Net tweets @girlonthenet blogs at www.girlonthenet.com and her dirty book, My Not-So-Shameful Sex Secrets is available from Amazon.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so shameful" to express a strong negative judgment about something that violates social norms or ethical standards. Ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the shame.

Common error

While "so shameful" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Consider using more sophisticated vocabulary to convey the intensity of your disapproval, such as "deeply disgraceful" or "utterly appalling."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so shameful" functions as an adjective phrase, intensifying the degree of shame associated with a particular action, situation, or characteristic. As noted by Ludwig, it expresses a strong feeling of embarrassment or regret. For example, "It was "so shameful"" indicates a high degree of disgrace.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so shameful" is a common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to express a strong feeling of shame, disgrace, or embarrassment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts, primarily within news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "deeply disgraceful" or "utterly appalling" in academic or professional settings. The phrase is useful for conveying strong disapproval or regret, but writers should ensure that the context clearly justifies the intensity of the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply disgraceful

Emphasizes the dishonorable and unacceptable nature of something.

utterly appalling

Highlights the shocking and disturbing quality of a situation.

truly mortifying

Focuses on the extreme embarrassment caused by something.

completely humiliating

Stresses the degradation and loss of dignity involved.

exceedingly embarrassing

Focuses on the high degree of discomfort and awkwardness.

incredibly regrettable

Emphasizes the feeling of sorrow and remorse.

thoroughly reprehensible

Highlights the blameworthy and deserving of condemnation nature of something.

absolutely scandalous

Emphasizes the shocking and morally offensive nature of something.

patently dishonorable

Highlights the lack of honor and integrity.

intensely ignominious

Emphasizes the deep public shame and disgrace.

FAQs

How can I use "so shameful" in a sentence?

You can use "so shameful" to express strong disapproval or embarrassment about a situation. For example, "It's "so shameful" that many people don't have access to clean water."

What can I say instead of "so shameful"?

You can use alternatives like "deeply disgraceful", "utterly appalling", or "truly mortifying" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "so shameful"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "So" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "shameful", intensifying its meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "so shameful"?

The phrase is suitable when describing situations or actions that evoke a strong sense of embarrassment, regret, or moral disapproval. However, be mindful of the register; in formal contexts, alternatives like "deeply disgraceful" may be more appropriate.