that's a pity

USAGE SUMMARY

'that's a pity' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express sympathy or sorrow for something that has happened. For example: "I heard you didn't get the job - that's a pity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And in many ways that's a pity.

The Guardian - Film

Depending on your perspective, that's a pity or an unexpected bonus of old age.

The Guardian

As Christopher Ewing, Jesse Metcalfe's eyes are screaming "no more parts where the script specifically mentions my nipples!" He has great nipples, so in many ways that's a pity.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That's a pity because otherwise Luke's makes a roll ($15) so bracing and pure, it's hard not to love.

The New York Times - Food

"And that's a pity," says Alasdair Blackwell, Decoded's resident code guru.

The Guardian - Tech

Nope, and that's a pity, because C. Wonder's dressing rooms, sequestered behind an enormous blue velvet tuffet, are among the most pleasant I've ever experienced, with wood paneling, carpeting and a console that permits customers to tactfully dim the light, or select from eight flavors of "mood music" (including blessed silence).

The New York Times

That's a pity, really, because Apple's XServe ain't bad.

Forbes

That's a pity, since this company is not just one of the world's most important classical dance ensembles, but is also in a fascinating state of evolution.

The New York Times - Arts

And that's a pity, because Mr Asmus has a knowledge of Beckett and Beckett's own vision for how to perform his plays that is unequalled in today's theatre.A 73-year-old German living in Berlin, Mr Asmus was told last year about an astonishing nine-minute version of Beckett's "Not I" performed by an Irish actress, Lisa Dwan.

The Economist

And that's a pity.

The New York Times

"That's a pity".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that's a pity" to express mild regret or sympathy in response to someone's misfortune or disappointment. It's suitable for both casual and slightly formal situations.

Common error

Avoid using "that's a pity" excessively in a conversation, as it can sound insincere or repetitive. Vary your responses with alternatives like "that's too bad" or "that's unfortunate" to maintain a natural and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

That's a pity functions as an interjection or a short statement expressing regret or disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase provides a concise way to convey sympathy in response to unfavorable news or circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that's a pity" is a commonly used phrase to express regret or disappointment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. It's most frequently found in News & Media and serves to offer empathy or mild sorrow in response to unfavorable news. While versatile, avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "that's a shame" or "it's unfortunate" for a more varied and natural tone. The phrase is neutrally formal which allows for frequent use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's a shame

Expresses a similar level of regret or disappointment. Both phrases are often interchangeable.

what a shame

Emphasizes the regrettable nature of the situation.

that's too bad

A more casual way of expressing sympathy or disappointment.

that's disappointing

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment caused by the situation.

that's regrettable

A more formal way of expressing disappointment or sorrow.

that's a disappointment

Directly states that something is not as good as expected.

it's unfortunate

Similar in meaning but slightly more detached or formal.

it's a crying shame

Expresses stronger feelings of regret or indignation.

that's a setback

Indicates a temporary delay or problem in progress, with a focus on its impeding effect.

it's a lost cause

Implies that there is no chance of rectifying the situation, expressing more finality.

FAQs

What does "that's a pity" mean?

"That's a pity" is an expression used to convey sympathy or disappointment about something that has happened. It indicates that the speaker regrets the situation.

When is it appropriate to use "that's a pity"?

It's appropriate to use "that's a pity" when someone shares bad news or expresses disappointment, and you want to show empathy. It's suitable for various contexts, from casual conversations to more formal settings.

What can I say instead of "that's a pity"?

You can use alternatives like "that's a shame", "that's too bad", or "it's unfortunate" to express similar sentiments.

Is "that's a pity" formal or informal?

"That's a pity" is generally considered neutral in terms of formality. It can be used in both casual and slightly formal contexts without sounding out of place.