such a shame

USAGE SUMMARY

"such a shame" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts to express disappointment or regret. Example: "It's such a shame that the concert was canceled due to bad weather. I was really looking forward to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's such a shame.

The New York Times

"It is such a shame".

The New York Times - Arts

Such a shame summer's over.

Independent

"Such a shame". Sixties?

The New York Times - Arts

"It's such a shame this happened.

The New York Times

"It's such a shame," she said.

The New York Times

Such a shame, we think.

The Washington Post

"Such a shame," she said.

The New York Times

It was such a shame.

The Guardian - Music

And that's such a shame.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Such a shame you clouded your message.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such a shame" to express mild disappointment or regret in situations where something desirable did not happen or a negative outcome occurred. Ensure the context is appropriate for expressing personal sentiment.

Common error

While "such a shame" is a common expression, avoid overusing it in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "what a pity", "it's unfortunate", or "it's disappointing" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a shame" functions as an interjection or exclamation used to express disappointment, regret, or disapproval about a particular situation or event. Ludwig AI confirms this is a standard expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "such a shame" is a commonly used phrase to express disappointment or regret. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and versatile enough for various situations. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives might be suitable for professional contexts. To avoid overuse, consider employing synonyms like "what a pity" or "it's unfortunate". The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, demonstrating its wide applicability. Overall, understanding its nuances helps writers effectively communicate their sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a pity

Expresses regret using different wording while keeping the sentiment unchanged.

that's regrettable

Conveys a sense of regret or disappointment in a more formal tone.

it's unfortunate

Indicates something is not ideal or desirable, expressing mild disappointment.

it's disappointing

Directly states that something causes disappointment.

what a disappointment

Expresses the feeling of disappointment directly.

it's a crying shame

Emphasizes the regrettable nature of something in a more expressive way.

that's a lost cause

Highlights the futility and disappointment of something.

it's a matter for regret

More formal way to express that something is worthy of regret.

that's too bad

A more casual way of expressing regret or disappointment.

it's a cause for sorrow

Indicates that something brings sadness or regret.

FAQs

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

"Such a shame" is used to express disappointment or regret about a particular situation. For instance, you could say, "It's "such a shame" that the event was cancelled due to weather conditions."

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

You can use alternatives like "what a pity", "it's unfortunate", or "it's disappointing" to express similar sentiments depending on the context.

Is "such a shame" a formal or informal expression?

"Such a shame" is generally considered to be an informal expression. While it can be used in professional contexts, it's more common in casual conversation or less formal writing. For more formal situations, phrases like "it's regrettable" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "such a shame" and "such a pity"?

Both "such a shame" and "such a pity" are used to express disappointment or regret. They are largely interchangeable, with "such a pity" possibly being slightly more common in British English.