which is tragic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is tragic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that is unfortunate or sorrowful, often following a statement that highlights the circumstances. Example: "The loss of the historic building, which is tragic, has left the community in mourning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Which is tragic".

The New Yorker

'It was due to obesity which is tragic,' he said.

The Guardian

So far, there doesn't seem to be, which is tragic because individuals matter.

The New York Times

There's no need for that third party anymore, which is tragic".

The Guardian

We assert that the subject is crucial and only that subject matter is valid which is tragic and timeless".

The New York Times - Arts

His characters see folly in other people, which is comic; they just can't see their own folly, which is tragic.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

We've seen this sort of season finale before with the dispatching of Jimmy Darmody, which was tragic and shocking.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was spring, and the vivid green grass was studded with yellow wildflowers and blood-red roses, which are tragic emblems in Kurdish poetry.

The New Yorker

On the specific cases, I think I should say no more, and particularly in view of the latest incident, which was tragic.

The New York Times

"The art of losing isn't hard to master," she writes in the opening line; the trick is to begin with trivial losses, like door keys, and practice until you can handle those which are tragic.

The New Yorker

She says that "in the immediate future" she wants to stay in Africa - where she grew up and lives with her husband and four children – particularly as much of her three years there so far has been taken up with the Pistorius trial, which was "tragic" but "a bit like being in a continuous Big Brother thing".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is tragic" to add a layer of sorrow or unfortunate consequence to a preceding statement, enhancing the emotional impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "which is tragic" excessively in situations that are only mildly disappointing. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is tragic" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, adding supplementary information about a preceding clause. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it expresses sorrow or regret regarding the situation being described.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is tragic" is a commonly used relative clause that expresses sorrow or regret about a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse in overly dramatic contexts to maintain its intended impact. Alternative phrases like "which is unfortunate" or "that is deeply regrettable" can be used to vary your writing. Understanding its function and appropriate usage helps enhance the emotional resonance of your prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is truly unfortunate

Replaces "tragic" with "unfortunate", softening the emotional impact while still conveying a sense of disappointment.

which is deeply sorrowful

Uses "sorrowful" to directly convey a sense of sadness and grief instead of "tragic".

that's deeply regrettable

Substitutes "tragic" with "regrettable", focusing on the aspect of wishing things were different.

this is incredibly unfortunate

Uses "incredibly unfortunate" to emphasize the negative luck associated with the event, rather than its catastrophic nature.

it's exceptionally lamentable

Uses "lamentable" to emphasize the sorrowful nature of the situation, adding a more formal tone.

that's profoundly heartbreaking

Replaces "tragic" with "heartbreaking", highlighting the emotional pain and suffering caused by the event.

it is a grave misfortune

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal expression, highlighting the seriousness of the event.

it's exceedingly disheartening

Focuses on the feeling of discouragement caused by the event, replacing "tragic" with "disheartening".

this is genuinely devastating

Replaces "tragic" with "devastating", emphasizing the destructive impact of the event.

that's terribly upsetting

Emphasizes the emotional distress caused by the event, substituting "tragic" with "upsetting".

FAQs

How can I use "which is tragic" in a sentence?

Use "which is tragic" to express sorrow or regret about a situation described in the preceding clause. For example: "The community lost its primary source of employment, "which is tragic"."

What are some alternatives to saying "which is tragic"?

You can use alternatives like "which is unfortunate", "which is lamentable", or "which is deeply regrettable" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "which is tragic"?

No, "which is tragic" is a relative clause and should not start a sentence. It should follow a main clause that it modifies. Example: "His failure to complete the project, "which is tragic", cost the company a major contract."

What's the difference between "which is tragic" and "that is tragic"?

"Which is tragic" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, providing additional information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. "That is tragic" would introduce a restrictive clause, essential for identifying what you're referring to. However, "that is tragic" is less common and stylistically, ""which is tragic"" is preferred in many contexts.