what a pity

USAGE SUMMARY

"what a pity" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to express sympathy or regret. Example: "What a pity he was unable to attend the wedding, he must have really wanted to be there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What a pity".

The New York Times

What a pity!" I replied.

Princeton University

But what a pity.

The New York Times

All she said was, "What a pity".

The New Yorker

What a pity, those lovely beasts!

Independent

"What a pity," lamented El Mundo Deportivo.

The Guardian - Sport

What a pity, many sherry-makers thought.

The New York Times - Travel

But what a pity, all the same.

The Economist

But what a pity that would be.

The Economist

"What a pity," she said.

The New Yorker

What a pity, I murmured.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a pity" to express genuine empathy or regret in response to someone's misfortune or a disappointing situation. Ensure your tone matches the sentiment you're conveying.

Common error

Avoid using "what a pity" sarcastically or in situations where a more direct or constructive response is needed. Sarcasm can undermine the intended sentiment and may be misinterpreted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a pity" primarily functions as an interjection or an exclamation, expressing a feeling of sorrow, regret, or disappointment about an unfortunate situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used to convey sympathy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what a pity" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey regret or disappointment. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for expressing sympathy. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it's also used in academic and business contexts. Alternatives such as "it's a shame" or "that's too bad" offer similar sentiments. When using "what a pity", ensure the tone aligns with the context and avoid overuse, especially sarcastically. Recognized as a versatile phrase, it effectively communicates empathy across various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a shame

Replaces "pity" with "shame", keeping the structure of the original phrase.

it's a shame

Changes the structure to a more direct statement of regret, using "shame" instead of "pity".

that's a pity

Reorders the words slightly to create a more declarative statement.

that's too bad

Offers a slightly less formal way to express disappointment.

it's regrettable

Uses a more formal and direct adjective to convey regret.

it's unfortunate

Similar to regrettable, but emphasizes the unlucky nature of the situation.

it's a disappointment

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment caused by the situation.

it's a crying shame

Adds emphasis to the sense of shame, suggesting it's particularly regrettable.

how disappointing

Emphasizes the level of disappointment.

more's the pity

An idiomatic expression that reinforces the sense of regret.

FAQs

How can I use "what a pity" in a sentence?

"What a pity" is typically used as a standalone phrase to express regret or disappointment. For example, "What a pity you can't join us for the trip!" or "What a pity the event was canceled."

What is a more formal alternative to "what a pity"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "it's regrettable" or "it's unfortunate". These options are suitable for professional or academic settings.

Is "what a shame" the same as "what a pity"?

Yes, "what a shame" and "what a pity" are largely interchangeable and express the same sentiment of regret or disappointment. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference.

When is it inappropriate to use "what a pity"?

It's best to avoid using "what a pity" sarcastically or in situations where a more constructive response is needed. Overusing it or using it insincerely can diminish its impact and may be seen as dismissive.