such a pity

USAGE SUMMARY

"such a pity" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an expression of sympathy or regret. For example: It's such a pity that you weren't able to attend the party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Ms. Lempel has added some fresh, new words for us to crunch on, and it only worries me slightly that all except one verges on the negative: WORRISOME, SUCH A PITY, FELL APART and LACKED make me think that Ms. Lempel doesn't do Mondays very well.

The New York Times

It's such a pity".

The Guardian

"This is such a pity.

The Guardian - Sport

Such a pity that Greg Wise is so good-looking.

Independent

It's such a pity that he never did.

The Guardian - Music

It seems such a pity St Paul's has lost him.

The Guardian

Such a pity: you have the basis to be great.

The Guardian - Sport

It'd be such a pity to throw them all away.

The New Yorker

Such a pity then, Nagma muses, that her "heart was full of filth".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's such a terrible pity.

The New York Times

It's such a great pity we have to close his portfolio here".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such a pity" to express mild disappointment or regret, particularly when something desirable or expected did not occur. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "such a pity" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your expressions of regret with phrases like "what a shame" or "it's unfortunate" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a pity" functions primarily as an expression of regret or mild disappointment. It's used to convey a sense that something is unfortunate or undesirable. Ludwig examples show it appears frequently in varied contexts to soften bad news or express empathy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "such a pity" is a common English expression used to convey mild disappointment or regret. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in Formal & Business and Science contexts. Alternatives include "what a shame" and "it's unfortunate". While versatile, overuse should be avoided to maintain freshness in writing. When using "such a pity", remember it is best suited for expressing sympathy or acknowledgement of a mildly negative situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a shame

Emphasizes the disappointing nature of a situation.

it's regrettable

Highlights the feeling of regret about a situation.

it's unfortunate

Focuses on the unlucky aspect of a situation.

that's too bad

A more casual expression of disappointment.

it's a crying shame

Emphasizes the sense of injustice or waste.

it's a real disappointment

Directly expresses the feeling of disappointment.

it's a lost cause

Focuses on the irreversible nature of a negative situation.

what a waste

Highlights the wasted potential or opportunity.

it's a matter of regret

Highlights the element of regret and sorrow.

that's a source of sorrow

Highlights the element of sadness and pain.

FAQs

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

"Such a pity" is typically used to express disappointment or regret about a situation. For instance, "It's "such a pity" that the event was canceled due to bad weather".

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

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "what a shame", "it's unfortunate", or "that's too bad" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it grammatically correct to say "such a pity"?

Yes, "such a pity" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression in English to convey regret or disappointment.

When is it appropriate to use "such a pity"?

"Such a pity" is appropriate in situations where you want to express mild disappointment or regret, but not necessarily deep sorrow or grief. It's suitable for everyday conversations and writings.