The phrase “what a shame” is often used when you’re disappointed or regretful about something. But there are times, especially in more formal conversations or writing, when it might not hit the right note. Maybe you want to sound more professional at work, or maybe you just want to mix up your vocabulary a bit.
Below, we’ve listed 12 alternative ways to say “what a shame”. Whether you’re sympathizing with a coworker or responding to a friend’s bad news, it’s always handy to have a variety of phrases ready to use.
Other Ways to Say “What a Shame”
- It’s very unfortunate
- It’s a pity
- That’s so sad
- That’s terrible news
- What a terrible thing to happen
- That’s awful
- I’m sorry to hear that
- It’s/that’s a shame
- Too bad/ That’s too bad
- Oh,dear!
- Oh, no!
- That sucks!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “What a shame” is a common phrase used to express disappointment.
- “It’s very unfortunate” and “I’m sorry to hear that” are professional ways to show empathy.
- On the other hand, “Oh no!” and “That sucks!” are informal phrases you can use to express sympathy in a more casual setting.
7 Formal Alternatives to “What A Shame”
In a professional setting or business environment, it’s crucial to express your disappointment or sympathy in an appropriately formal way. The phrases we’ve discussed here are perfect for such situations.
It’s Very Unfortunate
“It’s very unfortunate” is a formal but direct alternative to “what a shame.” When you say this, you’re showing that something hasn’t gone as well as hoped. This phrase shows empathy without downplaying the seriousness of the situation. It’s useful in formal business writing or professional meetings, where it’s important to consider others’ feelings while keeping a professional tone.
Usage Examples:
“It’s very unfortunate that the client has decided to go with another supplier.“
“This year’s budget cuts will affect our research department. It’s very unfortunate.“
“I think it’s very unfortunate that we have to postpone the product launch.“
“It’s very unfortunate that the team’s efforts did not yield the expected results.“
“The flight cancellations have been numerous; it’s very unfortunate for all travelers involved.“
“Given your hard work, it’s very unfortunate the promotion went to someone else.“
It’s A Pity
“It’s a pity” is a traditional way to subtly and restrainedly show disappointment. It’s a straightforward alternative to “what a shame.”
It’s a good way to show you care without crossing formal lines. This phrase works well in conversations about missed chances or regret over a bad outcome, helping to keep a professional atmosphere.
Usage Examples:
“The weather turned so quickly; it’s a pity we had to cancel the outdoor ceremony.“
“It’s a pity the team couldn’t finish the project on time.“
“With all your experience, it’s a pity you weren’t selected for the role.“
“It’s a pity the keynote speaker couldn’t attend the seminar.“
“The new regulations will delay our project; it’s a pity after all our planning.“
“It’s a pity that the community center is closing down; it was such a valuable resource.“
That’s So Sad
Saying “that’s so sad” is a more emotional response that’s still suitable for formal situations when something unfortunate happens.
You’re recognizing the emotional impact of a situation, which can comfort someone experiencing a loss or setback. This phrase is good when you want to offer sincere sympathy and show that you understand the seriousness of the situation.
Usage Examples:
“Your grandmother was a wonderful woman; that’s so sad she passed away.“
“That’s so sad to hear about the company downsizing and the jobs lost.“
“I heard about the accident on the news; that’s so sad for everyone involved.“
“That’s so sad that the historic landmark was damaged in the storm.“
“Losing a pet is never easy; that’s so sad for your family.“
“That’s so sad that the fundraiser didn’t meet its goal.“
That’s Terrible News
Describing something as “terrible news” immediately shows the gravity and importance of the situation. It’s a direct and strong way to show your concern.
Use this phrase in formal settings when you hear about significant negative events and you want to show solidarity and understanding of the impact.
Usage Examples:
“I just heard about the layoffs; that’s terrible news.“
“The project we worked on for months has been scrapped; that’s terrible news.“
“That’s terrible news about the earthquake in the region; I hope aid can reach them quickly.“
“Hearing about the data breach was alarming; that’s terrible news for our customers.“
“The cancellation of the health program is going to impact many; that’s terrible news.“
What A Terrible Thing To Happen
Saying “What a terrible thing to happen” is a direct and sincere response to a distressing event.
Because this phrase has a more intense tone, it’s especially useful when responding to significant or tragic events. It adds weight to your response while staying within formal expression limits.
Usage Examples:
“To have the entire harvest spoiled by pests, what a terrible thing to happen.“
“What a terrible thing to happen, being diagnosed with such an illness.“
“The community was just recovering; what a terrible thing to happen, another storm.“
“For such an accident to occur on his first day, what a terrible thing to happen.“
“What a terrible thing to happen, losing all your data to a system crash.“
“The museum fire was a huge loss; what a terrible thing to happen to our cultural heritage.“
That’s Awful
“That’s awful” is similar to the previous two options in expressing deep sentiment. It’s a clear and concise way to express deep sympathy. Its directness makes it suitable for times when you’re surprised by bad news but still want to respond appropriately in a formal setting. This phrase might be short, but it communicates a lot of empathy and concern.
Usage Examples:
“I can’t believe your house was burglarized; that’s awful.“
“That’s awful that the funding for the arts program was cut.“
“To hear about your sister’s illness was a shock; that’s awful.“
“That’s awful, the way they announced the office closure with no notice.“
“The way the employees were treated during the merger was just awful.“
“That’s awful that the volunteers’ hard work was ruined by the storm.“
I’m Sorry To Hear That
“I’m sorry to hear that” is a flexible phrase that’s suitably formal and empathetic. It’s commonly used because it’s polite and thoughtful, making it perfect for situations where you need to express condolences or regret about unfortunate news. This phrase can be used in almost any disappointing situation, whether it’s a missed business goal or a colleague’s personal loss.
Usage Examples:
“You didn’t get the grant? I’m sorry to hear that.“
“I’m sorry to hear that your trip got canceled at the last minute.“
“Your business is closing? I’m sorry to hear that.“
“I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling under the weather today.“
“After all your studying, I’m sorry to hear that the exam was so tough.“
“I’m sorry to hear that the wedding had to be postponed.“
5 Informal Alternatives to “What A Shame”
When you’re talking about disappointments or mishaps with people you’re close to, the informal phrases we’ve discussed can provide a casual yet caring way to show your sympathy.
It’s A Shame
If you’re looking for a simple and casual alternative to “what a shame,” you might want to try “it’s a shame.”
You can use this phrase when you’re sympathizing with someone close to you in situations that aren’t too serious. It shows that you recognize their disappointment in a more informal, everyday language.
For example, if a friend’s concert gets canceled, you could say, “It’s a shame you won’t see your favorite band.” This response shows sympathy without being overly formal.
Usage Examples:
“You missed the game-winning goal? It’s a shame you had to leave early.“
“It’s a shame the picnic was called off, we had such a great spot.“
“After all the hype, it’s a shame the movie wasn’t very good.“
“It’s a shame your cake didn’t turn out well; I know you worked hard on it.“
“To hear they discontinued your favorite coffee, it’s a shame.“
“It’s a shame we missed the beginning of the play because of traffic.“
That’s Too Bad
“That’s too bad” is a short and simple phrase you can use to show mild disappointment. Like “what a shame,” it’s often used among friends or in casual settings. It’s perfect for those times when you want to show sympathy or disappointment without sounding too serious or dramatic.
For instance, if a friend tells you they’ve run out of coffee at home, you might say, “Oh, that’s too bad you can’t start your morning with a cup!”
Usage Examples:
“You lost your phone on vacation? That’s too bad.“
“That’s too bad your favorite restaurant closed down.“
“The game was rained out? That’s too bad for the fans.“
“That’s too bad you didn’t enjoy the concert as much as you expected.“
“You have to work this weekend? That’s too bad.“
“That’s too bad the park was so crowded we couldn’t have our picnic.“
Oh Dear!
“Oh dear!” is another informal phrase you can use to express surprise or concern. It’s more emotional than “that’s too bad,” but it also has a hint of humor that can lighten the mood.
You can use it in a variety of situations, from small inconveniences to more serious problems. If a coworker spills their drink during lunch, you might say, “Oh dear!” and then give them a supportive smile.
Usage Examples:
“Oh dear, I can’t believe we both wore the same outfit.“
“You spilled coffee on your report? Oh dear, that’s unfortunate.“
“Oh dear, the printer ran out of ink again? “
“Oh dear, I think we’ve taken the wrong turn.“
“The meeting was moved up to today? Oh dear, I’m not prepared.“
“Oh dear, it sounds like you had a challenging day at work.“
Oh No!
“Oh no!” is a spontaneous reaction to disappointing or unexpected news. It’s usually used in surprising or unplanned moments. Depending on how you say it, it can express anything from mild disappointment to real concern.
For example, if a friend tells you they just missed the bus, you might say, “Oh no! Will you still make it on time?”
Usage Examples:
“Oh no, did the power just go out in the middle of your presentation? “
“Oh no, are you saying we’re out of coffee? “
“You forgot the tickets at home? Oh no, can we go back for them? “
“Oh no, did I just delete the file we needed? “
“Oh no, I think I left my wallet at the store.“
“The event is canceled after all our planning? Oh no, what a letdown.“
In conclusion, there are many creative and heartfelt ways to wish someone all the best beyond the traditional phrase. You can try these alternatives to add a personalized touch when wishing someone success. So, go ahead and make your good wishes more meaningful and memorable!
That Sucks!
“That sucks” is a straightforward and strong way to show disappointment. It’s very informal and best used in relaxed situations or with people you know well. If a friend tells you about a day filled with annoyances, you might respond with, “Wow, that really sucks you had to go through all that.”
It’s a direct and honest way to show empathy, although it might not be appropriate in more formal or professional settings because of its blunt nature.
Usage Examples:
“You got a flat tire on the way here? That sucks.“
“That sucks that the concert was overbooked and you couldn’t get in.“
“The airline lost your luggage? That sucks, I’m sorry to hear that.“
“You were stuck in traffic for hours? That sucks.“
“Having to work late on your birthday, that sucks.“
In conclusion, there are many alternatives to the phrase “what a shame” that can help you express disappointment or regret. From formal expressions like “it’s very unfortunate” and “it’s a pity,” to more emotional responses like “that’s so sad,” and even to informal phrases such as “that’s too bad,” “oh dear,” “oh no,” and “that sucks.” So next time you’re at a loss for words, try one of these phrases instead of the usual “what a shame.”
