that's sad

USAGE SUMMARY

"that's sad" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it to express sympathy for someone's misfortune or disappointment. For example, "I just heard that your grandma died. That's sad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

(Boy, that's sad).

The Guardian - Music

That's sad.

The New York Times

And that's sad".

The New York Times

That's sad, but O.K.

The New York Times

That's sad, I know".

The New York Times

That's sad to me.

The New Yorker

"That's sad but true.

The New York Times

That's sad — and perfect.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It was a voice that was sad.

The New York Times

It is conformity that is sad.

Huffington Post

"Well that was sad," said my stepmother.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that's sad" to express empathy or sympathy when someone shares bad news or a disappointing experience. It's a simple way to acknowledge their feelings and show you care.

Common error

While expressing sympathy is important, overusing "that's sad" can sound repetitive and insincere. Vary your responses with phrases like "that's unfortunate", "I'm sorry to hear that", or offer specific support or solutions if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's sad" functions as an exclamatory expression of sympathy or disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It often serves as a simple acknowledgment of someone's misfortune.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that's sad" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express sympathy or disappointment. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's appropriate for acknowledging someone's negative experience, although varying your response can enhance sincerity. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral to informal register. Related phrases like "that's unfortunate" or "that's a pity" offer alternatives to prevent overuse and enhance expressiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

That's unfortunate

Replaces "sad" with "unfortunate", focusing on the negative outcome.

That's a pity

Uses "pity" instead of "sad", conveying a sense of mild regret or disappointment.

That's regrettable

Employs "regrettable" to express sorrow or disappointment about a situation.

That's depressing

Highlights the disheartening or gloomy aspect of the situation.

That's a shame

Substitutes "sad" with "shame", indicating a feeling of disappointment or disapproval.

That's disappointing

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment caused by the situation.

It's a sorrowful thing

Rephrases the sentiment with a more formal and emphatic tone.

That's heartbreaking

Emphasizes the emotionally painful or distressing nature of the situation.

That's a crying shame

Expresses a stronger sense of disappointment and injustice.

It's a cause for sorrow

Presents the situation as a reason for feeling sadness or grief.

FAQs

How can I use "that's sad" in a sentence?

You can use "that's sad" to express sympathy or disappointment. For example, "I heard about the layoffs at your company. "That's sad"."

What can I say instead of "that's sad"?

You can use alternatives like "that's unfortunate", "I'm sorry to hear that", or "that's a shame" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "that's sad"?

Yes, "that's sad" is grammatically correct and widely used in spoken and written English to express sympathy or disappointment.

When is it appropriate to use "that's sad"?

It's appropriate to use "that's sad" when someone shares unfortunate news, a disappointing experience, or expresses a feeling of sadness. It's a way to acknowledge their feelings and show empathy.