this sorry situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this sorry situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an unpleasant or disappointing situation, especially one in which someone is unhappy or has suffered a loss. For example: "The death of their beloved pet was a tragic event that resulted in this sorry situation for the family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

This sorry situation isn't an accident.

The New Yorker

This sorry situation hasn't gone unnoticed by the artists themselves.

The New York Times - Arts

TV networks are not to blame for this sorry situation.

The New York Times

This sorry situation burst into flames recently when a toad-in-the-hole caught fire.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This sorry situation isn't done yet, and we might still be able to rescue it.

The New Yorker

The only thing that was shining out from this sorry situation was the discovery that my boys – although less than hygienic, messy and constantly arguing – are good people.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But I am still left in the sorry situation that, having worked abroad as a foreign correspondent for the best part of 20 years, I have lost the right to vote in the UK.

The Guardian

That the sorry situation has not been addressed is frustrating for the residents, but it does not appear to have registered quite so highly on the radar of the local borough and county councillors, who have had difficulty in giving an impression of concern.

The Guardian

Many victims were also Pakistani, but the EDL used the sorry situation as a way to sell a story about exclusively English girls falling victim to Muslim abusers.

Vice

Many victims were also Pakistani, but the EDL have used the sorry situation as a way to sell a story about exclusively English girls falling victim to Muslim abusers.

Vice

Sorry back to the topic of this blog, I wouldn't want to go off topic and talk about the appalling way the BBC have handled this whole sorry situation.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this sorry situation" to express disappointment or regret about a current state of affairs, particularly when discussing negative impacts or consequences. It is suited for conveying a sense of empathy or concern.

Common error

While effective, "this sorry situation" can become repetitive if used excessively. Vary your language by using synonyms like "this unfortunate circumstance" or "this regrettable state of affairs" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this sorry situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "sorry" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "situation". It is typically used to describe a particular state or set of circumstances that are undesirable or regrettable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Opinion

13%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this sorry situation" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe an undesirable or regrettable state of affairs. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as opinion pieces. It serves to express disappointment, concern, or regret and often prompts further discussion or analysis of the situation. While versatile, consider using synonyms to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this unfortunate circumstance

Replaces "situation" with "circumstance", emphasizing the accidental or chance nature of the event.

this regrettable state of affairs

Substitutes "sorry situation" with a more formal and emphatic expression indicating disapproval or disappointment.

this dismal predicament

Uses "dismal predicament" to highlight the bleak and difficult nature of the situation.

this unhappy state

Replaces "sorry situation" with a simpler expression denoting unhappiness or discontent.

this lamentable condition

Employs "lamentable condition" to convey a sense of sorrow or regret about the situation.

this depressing state of affairs

Replaces "sorry situation" with a stronger, more emotional expression emphasizing feelings of sadness.

this bleak outlook

Focuses on the pessimistic or unfavorable prospects associated with the situation.

this unfavorable turn of events

Highlights the negative or adverse development that has led to the current situation.

this difficult juncture

Replaces "sorry situation" to emphasize the challenging or critical point in time.

this adverse development

Focuses on the negative progression or unfolding of the situation.

FAQs

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

Use "this sorry situation" to refer to an undesirable circumstance that you regret. For example, "The company's financial losses have led to "this sorry situation", requiring significant restructuring".

What phrases can I use instead of "this sorry situation"?

You can use alternatives like "this unfortunate circumstance", "this regrettable state of affairs", or "this dismal predicament" depending on the context.

Is "this sorry situation" formal or informal?

"This sorry situation" is generally considered neutral in tone. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly professional settings.

What's the difference between "this sorry situation" and "this sad situation"?

While both phrases express negativity, "this sorry situation" often implies regret or disappointment about circumstances, whereas "this sad situation" /s/this+sad+situation focuses more directly on the feeling of sadness or sorrow.