Quick Answer: If you’re looking for other ways to say it’s a pity, try these alternatives: that’s unfortunate, what a shame, sadly, that’s disappointing, it’s regrettable.
The phrase “it’s a pity” is commonly used to express regret, disappointment, or mild sadness about a situation.
People use it in everyday conversations, written messages, and polite responses when something does not go as planned.
Learning alternatives to it’s a pity helps you sound more fluent, avoid repetition, and choose expressions that better express excitement in English, sympathy, or professionalism depending on the context.
Quick Categories
Formal alternatives to “it’s a pity”
That is unfortunate, it is regrettable, this is disappointing, it is most unfortunate
Pro Tips Box:
Use formal alternatives in professional writing, reports, and polite business responses.
Casual alternatives
What a shame, that’s too bad, that’s sad, too bad
Pro Tips Box:
Casual phrases are natural in everyday conversations but should be avoided in formal writing.
Professional alternatives
That is unfortunate to hear, this is disappointing news, I regret to hear that, that is regrettable
Pro Tips Box:
Professional alternatives show empathy without sounding emotional or informal.
Informal expressions
Shame, bummer, that’s rough, unlucky
Pro Tips Box:
Informal expressions work best in spoken English with friends or peers.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in very formal documents
Example: It’s a pity the contract failed - Overusing the phrase
Example: Repeating it’s a pity in every response - Using informal alternatives in professional emails
Example: That’s too bad about the project - Sounding sarcastic unintentionally
Example: Oh, it’s a pity in a serious context - Using it for major tragedies
Example: Using it’s a pity for serious loss
What Does “It’s a Pity” Mean?
“It’s a pity” means something is unfortunate or disappointing.
Grammatically, it is an idiomatic expression used to comment on a situation.
Example sentence: It’s a pity you couldn’t join us.
When to Use “It’s a Pity”
• Mild disappointment
• Polite conversation
• Casual reactions
Spoken vs Written: More common in spoken English
Formal vs Informal: Mostly informal
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “It’s a Pity”?
The phrase is polite but usually informal.
Business-style example: It’s unfortunate that the deadline could not be met.
Polite? ✔️ Yes
Professional? ❌ No in most cases
Pros and Cons of Using “It’s a Pity”
Pros
• Simple and natural
• Polite tone
• Easy to understand
• Widely used
Cons
• Too informal for business
• Limited emotional range
• Can sound dismissive
• Overused
Other Ways to Say “It’s a Pity” (With Examples)
These alternatives will help you sound more fluent, confident, and natural in different situations.
Use them based on tone, context, and audience to express excitement in English, regret, or sympathy.
1. Phrase: That’s unfortunate
Meaning: Something went wrong
Explanation: Neutral and polite
Example Sentence: That’s unfortunate, but we’ll try again.
Best Use: Work
Worst Use: Casual jokes
Tone: Neutral polite
Context Variability: professional casual
2. Phrase: What a shame
Meaning: Expression of regret
Explanation: Common conversational phrase
Example Sentence: What a shame you missed the event.
Best Use: Conversations
Worst Use: Formal reports
Tone: Friendly
Context Variability: casual spoken
3. Phrase: That’s disappointing
Meaning: Expectation not met
Explanation: Clear and direct
Example Sentence: That’s disappointing to hear.
Best Use: Feedback
Worst Use: Personal loss
Tone: Neutral
Context Variability: professional
4. Phrase: Sadly
Meaning: Expresses regret briefly
Explanation: Often used at sentence start
Example Sentence: Sadly, the show was canceled.
Best Use: Writing
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Neutral
Context Variability: professional
5. Phrase: It’s regrettable
Meaning: Worth regretting
Explanation: Formal and serious
Example Sentence: It’s regrettable that the issue occurred.
Best Use: Reports
Worst Use: Friendly chats
Tone: Formal
Context Variability: professional
6. Phrase: That’s too bad
Meaning: Casual disappointment
Explanation: Informal spoken phrase
Example Sentence: That’s too bad you can’t come.
Best Use: Friends
Worst Use: Business emails
Tone: Casual
Context Variability: spoken
7. Phrase: I’m sorry to hear that
Meaning: Polite sympathy
Explanation: Shows empathy
Example Sentence: I’m sorry to hear that you’re unwell.
Best Use: Polite responses
Worst Use: Minor issues
Tone: Caring
Context Variability: casual professional
8. Phrase: That’s unfortunate to hear
Meaning: Professional sympathy
Explanation: Slightly formal
Example Sentence: That’s unfortunate to hear about the delay.
Best Use: Work
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
9. Phrase: What a disappointment
Meaning: Stronger regret
Explanation: Emphasizes feeling
Example Sentence: What a disappointment the results were.
Best Use: Reviews
Worst Use: Sensitive topics
Tone: Emotional
Context Variability: casual
10. Phrase: Too bad
Meaning: Short informal regret
Explanation: Very casual
Example Sentence: Too bad it didn’t work out.
Best Use: Friends
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Informal
Context Variability: spoken
11. Phrase: It’s a shame
Meaning: Mild regret
Explanation: Close synonym
Example Sentence: It’s a shame you couldn’t stay.
Best Use: Conversations
Worst Use: Legal writing
Tone: Friendly
Context Variability: casual
12. Phrase: That’s a letdown
Meaning: Unexpected disappointment
Explanation: Informal expression
Example Sentence: That’s a letdown after all that effort.
Best Use: Friends
Worst Use: Business letters
Tone: Casual
Context Variability: spoken
13. Phrase: Unlucky
Meaning: Bad fortune
Explanation: British informal usage
Example Sentence: Unlucky about the timing.
Best Use: Spoken English
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Casual
Context Variability: spoken
14. Phrase: That’s a shame to hear
Meaning: Polite regret
Explanation: Soft and empathetic
Example Sentence: That’s a shame to hear.
Best Use: Polite replies
Worst Use: Reports
Tone: Polite
Context Variability: casual professional
15. Phrase: I regret that
Meaning: Formal expression of regret
Explanation: Often used in writing
Example Sentence: I regret that the event was canceled.
Best Use: Formal writing
Worst Use: Casual talk
Tone: Formal
Context Variability: professional
16. Phrase: That’s unfortunate news
Meaning: Reaction to bad news
Explanation: Professional tone
Example Sentence: That’s unfortunate news for the team.
Best Use: Work
Worst Use: Friendly chats
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
17. Phrase: That’s a pity indeed
Meaning: Emphasized regret
Explanation: Stronger version
Example Sentence: That’s a pity indeed.
Best Use: Polite speech
Worst Use: Reports
Tone: Polite
Context Variability: spoken
18. Phrase: That’s rough
Meaning: Informal sympathy
Explanation: Casual modern usage
Example Sentence: That’s rough, hope things improve.
Best Use: Friends
Worst Use: Business
Tone: Informal
Context Variability: spoken
19. Phrase: That’s unfortunate timing
Meaning: Bad circumstances
Explanation: Situation-focused
Example Sentence: That’s unfortunate timing for everyone.
Best Use: Work
Worst Use: Emotional topics
Tone: Neutral
Context Variability: professional
20. Phrase: That’s disappointing to hear
Meaning: Polite reaction
Explanation: Professional and calm
Example Sentence: That’s disappointing to hear about the delay.
Best Use: Emails
Worst Use: Personal loss
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
21. Phrase: That’s sad
Meaning: Simple emotional response
Explanation: Informal and direct
Example Sentence: That’s sad you couldn’t attend.
Best Use: Friends
Worst Use: Business writing
Tone: Casual
Context Variability: spoken
22. Phrase: A shame, really
Meaning: Casual regret
Explanation: Conversational emphasis
Example Sentence: A shame, really, we had planned so much.
Best Use: Speech
Worst Use: Formal reports
Tone: Casual
Context Variability: spoken
23. Phrase: Regrettably
Meaning: Formal sentence opener
Explanation: Common in writing
Example Sentence: Regrettably, the offer expired.
Best Use: Formal writing
Worst Use: Chats
Tone: Formal
Context Variability: professional
24. Phrase: That’s a disappointment
Meaning: Neutral regret
Explanation: Clear and polite
Example Sentence: That’s a disappointment after the effort.
Best Use: Feedback
Worst Use: Sensitive loss
Tone: Neutral
Context Variability: professional
25. Phrase: Hard luck
Meaning: Informal sympathy
Explanation: British informal phrase
Example Sentence: Hard luck about the interview.
Best Use: Friends
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Informal
Context Variability: spoken
26. Phrase: That’s unfortunate indeed
Meaning: Emphasized formality
Explanation: Polite emphasis
Example Sentence: That’s unfortunate indeed.
Best Use: Formal speech
Worst Use: Casual chats
Tone: Formal polite
Context Variability: professional
27. Phrase: That’s a setback
Meaning: Temporary problem
Explanation: Practical and professional
Example Sentence: That’s a setback, but we’ll recover.
Best Use: Work
Worst Use: Emotional support
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
28. Phrase: It didn’t work out
Meaning: Soft disappointment
Explanation: Indirect phrasing
Example Sentence: It didn’t work out this time.
Best Use: Conversations
Worst Use: Reports
Tone: Neutral
Context Variability: casual
29. Phrase: That’s disappointing news
Meaning: Reaction to information
Explanation: Professional wording
Example Sentence: That’s disappointing news for everyone involved.
Best Use: Emails
Worst Use: Casual chats
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
30. Phrase: What a pity indeed
Meaning: Emphasized sympathy
Explanation: Polite and traditional
Example Sentence: What a pity indeed you couldn’t attend.
Best Use: Polite conversation
Worst Use: Informal texting
Tone: Polite
Context Variability: spoken
Scroll-Stopping Pull Quotes
“The right phrase shows empathy without sounding awkward.”
“Tone matters more than vocabulary in professional English.”
“Small wording changes create clearer communication.”
“Choose sympathy words based on situation, not habit.”
Mini Quiz / Self-Check
- Which phrase is most professional?
A. That’s too bad
B. That’s unfortunate to hear
C. That’s rough - Which is best for a friend?
A. It is regrettable
B. That’s a shame - Which fits formal writing best?
A. Hard luck
B. Regrettably
Comparison Table: Top Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| That’s unfortunate | Neutral | Work |
| What a shame | Friendly | Conversation |
| That’s disappointing | Neutral | Feedback |
| Regrettably | Formal | Writing |
| That’s too bad | Casual | Friends |
| I’m sorry to hear that | Caring | Polite replies |
| That’s a setback | Professional | Business |
| That’s sad | Casual | Informal |
| That’s unfortunate news | Professional | Emails |
| It didn’t work out | Neutral | Conversation |
FAQs
Is “it’s a pity” formal English?
No, it is mostly informal or conversational.
What is a professional alternative?
“That’s unfortunate” or “that’s disappointing to hear.”
Can it sound rude?
Yes, if used sarcastically or in serious situations.
Is “what a shame” the same meaning?
Yes, it expresses similar mild regret.
How can I sound more fluent?
Match your phrase to tone, audience, and context.
Conclusion
Learning other ways to say it’s a pity helps you express regret, sympathy, and disappointment more accurately.
Practice switching phrases based on context to sound natural, polite, and confident in English.
CTA: Choose three alternatives and use them in real conversations today
Mark Wood is a professional writer at SynonymHub.com, specializing in synonyms and vocabulary. He provides clear, insightful guidance that helps readers improve their writing and communicate with precision.
