such a disgrace

USAGE SUMMARY

"such a disgrace" is a correct, usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express disappointment or disapproval about something. For example, "The ambassador's behavior was such a disgrace!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

They felt it was such a disgrace, but I didn't.

The New York Times - Sports

Indeed, war photography begins with such a mission, such a disgrace.

The New Yorker

This is exactly the kind of shifty operating that made the PCC such a disgrace".

The Guardian

B: "One of they key problems today is that politics is such a disgrace.

The Guardian

(How Grimes's firm is to escape the taint of such a disgrace is a detail left unexplained).

The New York Times

The commission's report was one of the best of its kind, a thorough catalog of why New York's government has been such a disgrace for so long.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Kleiman calls such incidents "a disgrace".

The New Yorker

In April, he described the unsolved case as such "a national disgrace" that it required him to "find the historical truth," and on Sunday he was hugged, kissed and greeted with cries of "keep on pushing, Mr. President," by relatives of many of the victims.

The New York Times

But this year, his sophomoric attempts at humor are such an abject disgrace that even Jim's Journal (that pathetic excuse for a comic strip) is hilarious by contrast.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The inclusion of yet another foreign recruit sparked fury among the likes of former Scotland prop Peter Wright, who called the decision to snub native Scots such as  Barclay a "disgrace".

Independent

Yet even before the book was officially published on Nov. 13, the rapid response team declared, "It's time for action!" Within two weeks, the book had nearly 100 anonymous one-star reviews that included such comments as: "A disgrace and a disgusting insult to the greatest artist and entertainer the world has ever known".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such a disgrace" to express strong disapproval or disappointment when something significantly falls short of expectations or ethical standards. For added impact, consider the specific context and tailor your language to reflect the precise nature of the offense or failure.

Common error

While "such a disgrace" is widely understood, it can sound overly emotional or informal in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for more measured language, such as "unacceptable behavior" or "serious ethical lapse", to maintain a tone of objectivity and authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a disgrace" functions as an evaluative expression, conveying a strong negative judgment about a particular situation, action, or behavior. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's used to highlight significant disapproval.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "such a disgrace" serves as a potent expression of disapproval or disappointment, commonly employed across various contexts, as highlighted by Ludwig. While grammatically sound, its appropriateness hinges on the formality of the situation. For more formal settings, alternatives like "unacceptable behavior" might be more suitable. The prevalence of this phrase in news and media underscores its role in public discourse, while its occasional appearance in scientific contexts reveals its broader applicability. Considering context is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crying shame

Expresses sorrow and regret over an unfortunate situation.

a source of deep shame

Emphasizes the profound feeling of shame caused by the event.

utterly shameful

Emphasizes the feeling of shame associated with something.

absolutely appalling

Highlights the shocking and offensive nature of something.

quite deplorable

Highlights the reprehensible and contemptible nature of something.

a complete embarrassment

Changes the focus to the feeling of embarrassment caused by the situation.

a stain on their reputation

Indicates that the event has damaged someone's or something's good name.

a total letdown

Focuses on the disappointment and failure to meet expectations.

a blot on the landscape

Implies something is ugly, unwanted, and ruins the overall view.

a national embarrassment

Specifies that the disgrace reflects poorly on the entire nation.

FAQs

How can I use "such a disgrace" in a sentence?

You can use "such a disgrace" to express strong disapproval or disappointment about something. For example, "The way they treated their employees was "such a disgrace"."

What are some alternatives to saying "such a disgrace"?

Instead of "such a disgrace", you can use phrases like "utterly shameful", "a crying shame", or "a complete embarrassment", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "such a disgrace" in formal writing?

While understandable, "such a disgrace" may be too informal for formal writing. Consider alternatives like "unacceptable behavior" or "serious ethical lapse" to maintain a professional tone.

What makes something qualify as "such a disgrace"?

Something qualifies as "such a disgrace" when it involves a significant ethical violation, failure to meet expectations, or behavior that causes deep shame and disappointment.