Other Ways to Say “It’s a Pity” in English (With Examples) helps learners and professionals communicate regret with modern alternatives in casual, business, and professional contexts.
From my writing experience, this article shares a simple, rich approach that allows friends and professionals to sound more fluent, natural, and genuine. Decades ago, people used the phrase It’s a pity, but nowadays it feels old-fashioned, dull, and limited. This post provides guidance on other ways to say the same idea with precision, tone, and style, helping you express sympathy or disappointment when something didn’t go as planned, or when you are consoling someone.
As a language coach, I’ve wished these options were at my fingertips years ago. Depending on the context, you can use informal, empathetic phrases, friendly words, or professional expression to convey emotions with heartfelt care. This exploring process helps learners make their English more nuanced and naturally fluent, plus it gives variety and confidence to each conversation. I often sprinkle these synonyms into my own communication, because knowing why and how they fit different contexts might change how the message truly works for yourself.
Did You Know (It’s a Pity)
The expression “It’s a pity” has been used in English for centuries to convey mild sorrow or disappointment without deep grief. It is considered polite and emotionally neutral, making it suitable for both spoken and written English. However, native speakers often replace it with softer, stronger, or more context-specific alternatives depending on tone and situation.
What Does “It’s a Pity” Mean?
“It’s a pity” means that something is unfortunate, disappointing, or regrettable, often without assigning blame. It shows sympathy or mild sadness, rather than deep sorrow. The phrase is commonly used when an outcome could have been better but cannot be changed.
Professional or Political Ways to Say “It’s a Pity”
In formal or professional settings, replacing “It’s a pity” with more refined language helps maintain politeness, diplomacy, and emotional balance. Expressions like “That is unfortunate”, “It is regrettable”, or “That is disappointing” sound more neutral and appropriate in business, academic, or political contexts.
“It’s a Pity” Synonyms
- That’s Unfortunate
- That’s Too Bad
- What a Shame
- That’s Regrettable
- Sadly
- Unfortunately
- It’s Disappointing
- That’s a Shame
- It’s Regretful
- Hard Luck
- That’s a Loss
- It’s a Shame It Turned Out That Way
- A Missed Opportunity
- That’s Disheartening
- It’s a Letdown
- It Didn’t Work Out
- That’s Unlucky
- A Bit Disappointing
- It’s a Shame We Missed It
- That’s Regrettable News
- It’s a Real Shame
- It’s a Pity Indeed
- A Disappointing Outcome
- It’s a Sad Turn of Events
- That’s Quite Disappointing
- It’s Regrettable That…
- That’s a Downside
- It’s a Shame to Hear That
- That’s Truly Unfortunate
- It’s a Bit of a Shame
1. That’s Unfortunate
Definition: A polite expression acknowledging a negative or disappointing situation.
Meanings: Bad luck, regrettable outcome, unwanted result
Example: That’s unfortunate, but we’ll try again next year.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is commonly used in professional and everyday conversations. It expresses sympathy without sounding emotional or dramatic. It’s ideal when you want to remain respectful while acknowledging disappointment. The tone is neutral, making it suitable for emails, meetings, and formal discussions.
Tone: Neutral, polite
Best use: Professional, casual, workplace communication
2. That’s Too Bad
Definition: An informal way to show disappointment or sympathy.
Meanings: Disappointing, sad outcome
Example: That’s too bad you couldn’t join us.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is widely used in casual English. It sounds friendly and natural but should be avoided in formal writing. It conveys empathy in a relaxed way and works well among friends or family.
Tone: Casual, friendly
Best use: Informal conversations, daily speech
3. What a Shame
Definition: An expressive way to show regret or disappointment.
Meanings: Sad loss, missed opportunity
Example: What a shame the event was canceled.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase adds emotional emphasis compared to “It’s a pity.” It’s commonly used in spoken English and conveys warmth and genuine regret. It works well when reacting emotionally to news.
Tone: Emotional, conversational
Best use: Spoken English, storytelling
4. That’s Regrettable
Definition: A formal expression of disappointment.
Meanings: Unfortunate, deserving regret
Example: That’s regrettable, but we respect your decision.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is often used in official statements and professional writing. It avoids emotion while still acknowledging disappointment. It sounds respectful and measured, making it ideal for sensitive contexts.
Tone: Formal, diplomatic
Best use: Business, political, academic writing
5. Sadly
Definition: A soft adverb expressing sorrow.
Meanings: Unfortunately, with sadness
Example: Sadly, the project didn’t succeed.
Detailed Explanation: “Sadly” introduces a sentence with emotional awareness. It gently signals disappointment without sounding dramatic. It’s commonly used in writing and reflective speech.
Tone: Soft, reflective
Best use: Narratives, essays, emotional writing
6. Unfortunately
Definition: A formal transition word for negative outcomes.
Meanings: Regrettably, sadly
Example: Unfortunately, we missed the deadline.
Detailed Explanation: This is one of the most versatile alternatives. It works well in both spoken and written English and is especially useful in professional contexts where clarity matters.
Tone: Neutral, professional
Best use: Emails, reports, presentations
7. It’s Disappointing
Definition: A direct way to express dissatisfaction.
Meanings: Letdown, unmet expectations
Example: It’s disappointing to see such results.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase focuses more on expectations not being met rather than sympathy. It’s clear, honest, and often used in evaluations or feedback.
Tone: Direct, honest
Best use: Feedback, reviews, discussions
8. That’s a Shame
Definition: A conversational expression of regret.
Meanings: Missed chance, unfortunate event
Example: That’s a shame you couldn’t stay longer.
Detailed Explanation: Very similar to “What a shame,” this phrase sounds warm and human. It’s common in everyday conversations and polite responses.
Tone: Warm, casual
Best use: Social interactions
9. It’s Regretful
Definition: An emotionally reflective phrase.
Meanings: Causing regret, sorrowful
Example: It’s regretful that things ended this way.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is less common but carries emotional weight. It’s often used in reflective or formal writing to express deeper disappointment.
Tone: Serious, reflective
Best use: Formal letters, reflective essays
10. Hard Luck
Definition: A casual expression for misfortune.
Meanings: Bad luck, unlucky situation
Example: Hard luck, you almost won.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is informal and often used in British English. It sounds friendly and sympathetic, especially after small losses or near successes.
Tone: Casual, supportive
Best use: Spoken English, friendly contexts
11. That’s a Loss
Definition: Acknowledging something valuable was missed.
Meanings: Missed benefit, disadvantage
Example: Your absence is a real loss to the team.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase highlights value rather than emotion. It’s often used professionally to show respect and appreciation.
Tone: Respectful, formal
Best use: Professional praise, farewells
12. It’s a Shame It Turned Out That Way
Definition: A reflective expression of regret.
Meanings: Unfortunate conclusion
Example: It’s a shame it turned out that way.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is thoughtful and emotionally balanced. It’s often used when discussing past events with maturity and understanding.
Tone: Reflective, calm
Best use: Personal conversations, reflections
13. A Missed Opportunity
Definition: A chance that was not taken.
Meanings: Lost chance, regret
Example: Not applying was a missed opportunity.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase focuses on potential rather than emotion. It’s often used in professional or motivational contexts.
Tone: Analytical, neutral
Best use: Career discussions, evaluations
14. That’s Disheartening
Definition: Something that reduces motivation or hope.
Meanings: Discouraging, upsetting
Example: That’s disheartening news for everyone.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase carries deeper emotional weight and is used when disappointment affects morale or emotions.
Tone: Emotional, serious
Best use: Emotional discussions, serious news
15. It’s a Letdown
Definition: An informal way to express disappointment.
Meanings: Disappointment, anticlimax
Example: The movie was a real letdown.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is conversational and expressive. It’s commonly used in reviews and personal opinions.
Tone: Casual, expressive
Best use: Reviews, informal speech
Read More : 30 Other Ways to Say “It Means a Lot to Me” (With Example)
16. It Didn’t Work Out
Definition: A neutral way to express failure or disappointment.
Meanings: Unsuccessful outcome
Example: Sadly, it didn’t work out.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is gentle and avoids blame. It’s useful when discussing relationships, plans, or attempts that failed.
Tone: Soft, neutral
Best use: Personal conversations
17. That’s Unlucky
Definition: A light way to describe misfortune.
Meanings: Bad luck, unfortunate timing
Example: That’s unlucky, but keep trying.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is encouraging and avoids negativity. It’s often used in friendly or motivational settings.
Tone: Light, encouraging
Best use: Supportive conversations
18. A Bit Disappointing
Definition: A mild expression of dissatisfaction.
Meanings: Slight letdown
Example: The results were a bit disappointing.
Detailed Explanation: Adding “a bit” softens the criticism. This makes it suitable for polite feedback.
Tone: Mild, diplomatic
Best use: Polite reviews, feedback
19. It’s a Shame We Missed It
Definition: Expressing regret over absence.
Meanings: Missed experience
Example: It’s a shame we missed it.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is conversational and emotionally warm. It’s often used after events or opportunities.
Tone: Friendly, regretful
Best use: Social conversations
20. That’s Regrettable News
Definition: A formal acknowledgment of bad news.
Meanings: Unfortunate update
Example: That’s regrettable news, but thank you for informing us.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is ideal for professional correspondence where empathy is required without emotion.
Tone: Formal, respectful
Best use: Emails, announcements
21. It’s a Real Shame
Definition: A stronger version of “It’s a shame.”
Meanings: Deep disappointment
Example: It’s a real shame the deal fell through.
Detailed Explanation: Adding “real” intensifies emotion slightly while remaining conversational.
Tone: Warm, expressive
Best use: Spoken English
22. It’s a Pity Indeed
Definition: An emphasized form of the original phrase.
Meanings: Strong regret
Example: It’s a pity indeed, but we must move on.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase sounds slightly formal and reflective, often used in thoughtful speech.
Tone: Reflective, polite
Best use: Formal speech, writing
23. A Disappointing Outcome
Definition: A neutral summary of results.
Meanings: Unsatisfactory result
Example: The project ended with a disappointing outcome.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is objective and analytical, often used in reports or evaluations.
Tone: Professional, neutral
Best use: Reports, assessments
24. It’s a Sad Turn of Events
Definition: Expressing emotional regret over developments.
Meanings: Unfortunate progression
Example: It’s a sad turn of events for everyone involved.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is emotionally rich and often used in storytelling or serious discussions.
Tone: Emotional, serious
Best use: Narratives, serious topics
25. That’s Quite Disappointing
Definition: A slightly stronger expression of dissatisfaction.
Meanings: Noticeable letdown
Example: That’s quite disappointing, given the effort involved.
Detailed Explanation: “Quite” adds emphasis without sounding harsh, making it useful in polite criticism.
Tone: Balanced, honest
Best use: Feedback, discussions
26. It’s Regrettable That…
Definition: A formal sentence opener.
Meanings: Unfortunate circumstance
Example: It’s regrettable that the policy failed.
Detailed Explanation: This structure is common in official documents and formal writing.
Tone: Formal, diplomatic
Best use: Professional writing
27. That’s a Downside
Definition: Highlighting a negative aspect.
Meanings: Disadvantage
Example: Cost is a downside of this plan.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is analytical rather than emotional, useful in comparisons.
Tone: Neutral, practical
Best use: Reviews, analysis
28. It’s a Shame to Hear That
Definition: A polite response to bad news.
Meanings: Sympathetic regret
Example: It’s a shame to hear that you’re leaving.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase sounds empathetic and respectful, ideal for emotional responses.
Tone: Empathetic, polite
Best use: Personal and professional responses
29. That’s Truly Unfortunate
Definition: A sincere expression of regret.
Meanings: Deeply regrettable
Example: That’s truly unfortunate, and I’m sorry.
Detailed Explanation: Adding “truly” intensifies sincerity, making the phrase emotionally meaningful.
Tone: Sincere, empathetic
Best use: Serious conversations
30. It’s a Bit of a Shame
Definition: A softened, casual expression.
Meanings: Mild regret
Example: It’s a bit of a shame you can’t come.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase sounds gentle and friendly, avoiding heavy emotion.
Tone: Light, casual
Best use: Everyday conversation
FAQs :
1. What does “It’s a pity” usually express?
It is used to show regret, sympathy, or disappointment when something does not go as planned.
2. Why should I use alternatives to “It’s a pity”?
Using other ways helps you sound more natural, fluent, and less old-fashioned, especially in modern English.
3. Are these alternatives suitable for professional use?
Yes, many phrases work well in business and professional contexts when you need a polite and empathetic tone.
4. Can English learners easily use these expressions?
Absolutely. These words and phrases are simple, practical, and help learners communicate with more confidence.
5. How do I choose the right alternative?
It depends on the context, your relationship with the person, and whether the situation is casual, formal, or empathetic.
Conclusion :
Learning other ways to say “It’s a pity” enriches your language and helps you express emotions with clarity and style. By choosing the right phrase for the right context, you can communicate more naturally, connect better with others, and make your English sound thoughtful and confident.
Daniel Brown is the founder of EnglishSharpMind, dedicated to helping learners sharpen their English skills through clear explanations, practical tips, and smart learning strategies.
