this sorry saga

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'this sorry saga' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a difficult or unfortunate story or situation. For example: "This sorry saga began when two friends got into an argument and eventually stopped speaking to each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Like others in this sorry saga, China richly deserves embarrassment.

The Economist

Who knows how this sorry saga will end?

The Guardian

Whoever has won the battle of perceptions, there in one silver lining in this sorry saga.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I know that power and powerful connections loom in this sorry saga," she said.

The Guardian

At the same time, this sorry saga demonstrates with equal clarity that Hong Kong's real daddy is Beijing.

The Economist

It is only a twisted notion of the national interest that has been advanced by this sorry saga.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Nowhere is this more obvious than in the sorry saga of Solyndra, a Californian maker of novel tubular solar panels down the maw of which the Obama administration shovelled $535m in the hope of "green jobs" and photo ops.

The Economist

He said: "I believe we see light at the end of the tunnel in the sorry saga that has dogged this great landmark for decades and the surrounding area.

BBC

The latest chapter in the sorry saga was written over the past week.

The New York Times

It is worth remembering how we got here – the sorry saga of the last three years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now he can put the sorry saga behind him and move forward".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this sorry saga" when you want to convey a sense of disappointment, regret, or misfortune regarding a series of events. Ensure the context is clear to the reader.

Common error

While "this sorry saga" is widely understood, it can sound melodramatic or overly emotional in formal or professional contexts. Consider using more neutral language like "this challenging situation" or "this complex issue" for a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this sorry saga" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It introduces a narrative or situation characterized by regret, disappointment, or misfortune, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this sorry saga" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a disappointing or unfortunate series of events. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is descriptive, serving to frame a narrative in a negative light. While primarily found in News & Media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for discussing public interest events. When writing, remember that although widely used, consider less emotional alternatives in more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this unfortunate situation

Focuses on the present circumstances being undesirable.

this regrettable incident

Highlights a specific event that is cause for sorrow or disappointment.

this dismal affair

Emphasizes the negative and unpleasant nature of the situation.

this lamentable episode

Draws attention to the sorrowful and pitiable aspects of the event.

this painful ordeal

Highlights the suffering and difficulty experienced during the situation.

this bitter experience

Focuses on the negative feelings and disillusionment resulting from the situation.

this tragicomedy

Implies a mix of tragic and comedic elements in the situation.

this tale of woe

Positions the situation as a narrative filled with sorrow and misfortune.

this chain of unfortunate events

Highlights the sequence of negative occurrences that led to the current situation.

this mess

A simpler, more informal term, implies chaos and disorder.

FAQs

How can I use "this sorry saga" in a sentence?

You can use "this sorry saga" to refer to a series of unfortunate or regrettable events. For example, "This sorry saga of mismanagement led to the company's bankruptcy."

What phrases are similar to "this sorry saga"?

Alternatives include "this unfortunate situation", "this regrettable incident", or "this dismal affair", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is "this sorry saga" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "this sorry saga" might be perceived as too informal or emotional for some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "this challenging situation".

What makes "this sorry saga" different from "this unfortunate story"?

"This sorry saga" often implies a longer, more complex series of events than "this unfortunate story". A saga suggests a prolonged and often complicated narrative, whereas a story can be more concise.