30 Other Ways to Say “It’s a Pity”

“Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and it’s a pity.”

When expressing regret or sympathy, the phrase “It’s a pity” is commonly used. However, there are many alternative ways to convey the same sentiment, allowing you to sound more varied and nuanced in your language. These phrases can help you avoid repetition while still expressing disappointment, sorrow, or empathy in different contexts.

1. “What a shame”

This is a direct and commonly used alternative that expresses disappointment or regret.

Scenario:
After hearing about a missed opportunity, you might say, “What a shame that you couldn’t attend the event.”

Example 1:
“What a shame we couldn’t make it to the concert.”

Example 2:
“What a shame they decided to cancel the show.”

Explanation:
“What a shame” is simple and commonly used in both casual and formal situations. It is similar to saying “It’s a pity” but with a slightly different tone.

2. “That’s unfortunate”

A polite and more formal way to express regret or sympathy.

Scenario:
When hearing that a friend has had to postpone plans, you could say, “That’s unfortunate that you won’t be able to join us.”

Example 1:
“That’s unfortunate that you missed the opportunity.”

Example 2:
“That’s unfortunate to hear about your loss.”

Explanation:
“That’s unfortunate” is often used in more formal contexts, where a neutral or respectful tone is needed, such as in business or polite conversation.

3. “That’s too bad”

A casual way to express regret, often used in everyday conversation.

Scenario:
When learning about someone’s bad luck, you could say, “That’s too bad you missed the event.”

Example 1:
“That’s too bad you couldn’t make it to the party.”

Example 2:
“That’s too bad that the weather ruined your trip.”

Explanation:
“That’s too bad” is informal and often used when sympathizing with someone over an unfortunate situation. It’s friendly and relaxed.

4. “How sad”

A phrase used to express a deep sense of sadness or disappointment.

Scenario:
Upon hearing bad news about someone’s health, you might say, “How sad to hear about your condition.”

Example 1:
“How sad it is that they decided to close the restaurant.”

Example 2:
“How sad that the event was canceled at the last minute.”

Explanation:
“How sad” is a straightforward, emotional expression of sympathy, typically used when the situation is more serious or upsetting.

5. “What a disappointment”

This phrase emphasizes feelings of letdown or dissatisfaction.

Scenario:
After a long wait for a project to launch and then seeing it fail, you could say, “What a disappointment this outcome is.”

Example 1:
“What a disappointment it was that they didn’t win the competition.”

Example 2:
“What a disappointment that the show was canceled unexpectedly.”

Explanation:
“What a disappointment” focuses on the feeling of being let down, making it ideal for situations where expectations were high but weren’t met.

6. “That’s regrettable”

A more formal and polite expression of regret or sorrow.

Scenario:
When a colleague misses an important meeting, you might say, “That’s regrettable that you weren’t able to attend.”

Example 1:
“That’s regrettable that the project was delayed again.”

Example 2:
“That’s regrettable that your proposal didn’t get approved.”

Explanation:
“That’s regrettable” is a formal way to express disappointment. It is often used in professional settings or when you want to sound polite and composed.

7. “Too bad”

A simple, often casual way to express sympathy or regret.

Scenario:
When someone shares bad news with you, you might respond, “Too bad it didn’t work out.”

Example 1:
“Too bad we couldn’t make it to the wedding.”

Example 2:
“Too bad you missed the chance to meet him.”

Explanation:
“Too bad” is a versatile and laid-back expression of sympathy, commonly used in casual conversations when you want to show empathy without being too formal.

8. “It’s a shame”

A close variation of “It’s a pity” that can be used interchangeably in most situations.

Scenario:
When learning that a friend has to cancel plans, you might say, “It’s a shame that we won’t get to hang out.”

Example 1:
“It’s a shame that the event was postponed due to the rain.”

Example 2:
“It’s a shame they couldn’t attend the meeting after all.”

Explanation:
“It’s a shame” is informal and expressive. It’s often used to communicate genuine regret in a friendly or informal setting.

9. “I feel for you”

This phrase conveys deep sympathy, showing that you understand or empathize with someone’s situation.

Scenario:
After a friend shares a personal problem, you might say, “I feel for you. That must be tough.”

Example 1:
“I feel for you, losing a pet is always heartbreaking.”

Example 2:
“I feel for you, I know how much effort you put into that project.”

Explanation:
“I feel for you” goes beyond the expression of regret and shows a deeper sense of empathy, making it more personal and compassionate.

10. “How unfortunate”

This phrase is used to express sympathy for an unfortunate event or situation.

Scenario:
When someone misses a career opportunity, you might say, “How unfortunate that you didn’t get the promotion.”

Example 1:
“How unfortunate that the team didn’t win the championship.”

Example 2:
“How unfortunate that your flight was canceled last minute.”

Explanation:
“How unfortunate” is polite, formal, and empathetic. It’s suitable for serious situations and conveys regret without being too casual.

11. “That’s a bummer”

A casual way of expressing disappointment or sympathy.

Scenario:
When a friend tells you about missing an exciting opportunity, you might say, “That’s a bummer, I thought you were looking forward to it.”

Example 1:
“That’s a bummer that the tickets sold out so quickly.”

Example 2:
“That’s a bummer they didn’t win the contest after all that hard work.”

Explanation:
“That’s a bummer” is very informal, often used when speaking with close friends or family. It shows a sense of empathy in a lighthearted manner.

12. “Such a disappointment”

This phrase emphasizes a sense of regret, often used when expectations aren’t met.

Scenario:
Upon hearing that someone missed out on an opportunity, you could say, “Such a disappointment that they couldn’t attend the meeting.”

Example 1:
“Such a disappointment that the event was postponed again.”

Example 2:
“Such a disappointment that they decided to leave early.”

Explanation:
“Such a disappointment” highlights the emotional impact of an unfortunate event. It works in both formal and informal contexts.

13. “That’s heartbreaking”

A phrase expressing deep sadness, typically used for more serious situations.

Scenario:
After hearing about a friend’s loss, you might say, “That’s heartbreaking, I’m so sorry to hear that.”

Example 1:
“That’s heartbreaking that the team lost after all that effort.”

Example 2:
“That’s heartbreaking to hear about your struggles.”

Explanation:
“This is heartbreaking” conveys a stronger emotional response than other expressions, suitable for serious and personal situations.

14. “What a letdown”

Used to express disappointment when expectations are unmet.

Scenario:
If an event didn’t go as planned, you could say, “What a letdown that the concert was canceled.”

Example 1:
“What a letdown that you couldn’t make it to the celebration.”

Example 2:
“What a letdown that the final project didn’t turn out as expected.”

Explanation:
“What a letdown” conveys a feeling of personal disappointment, often in response to unmet expectations. It’s informal but effective.

15. “I’m sorry to hear that”

A polite and empathetic expression of regret or sympathy.

Scenario:
If someone shares disappointing news, you can say, “I’m sorry to hear that you missed the deadline.”

Example 1:
“I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t get the promotion you were hoping for.”

Example 2:
“I’m sorry to hear that things didn’t work out as planned.”

Explanation:
This phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal situations. It’s a courteous way of showing that you understand and feel sympathy for someone’s unfortunate situation.

Other Ways to Say Last But Not Least

16. “That’s unfortunate timing”

Referring to bad luck or bad timing when something goes wrong.

Scenario:
If a plan is canceled due to unforeseen events, you might say, “That’s unfortunate timing, especially after all the preparation.”

Example 1:
“That’s unfortunate timing that the flight got delayed.”

Example 2:
“That’s unfortunate timing that your car broke down before the meeting.”

Explanation:
“That’s unfortunate timing” highlights the external factors contributing to the disappointment, acknowledging that sometimes timing is the main issue.

17. “Such a shame”

A casual, yet empathetic way to express regret.

Scenario:
When a plan falls through unexpectedly, you can express sympathy by saying, “Such a shame that we couldn’t catch up.”

Example 1:
“Such a shame that you missed your chance to visit the exhibition.”

Example 2:
“Such a shame that they had to cancel the event due to bad weather.”

Explanation:
“Such a shame” is a gentle way to convey regret, often used in social situations where you want to sound considerate but not too formal.

18. “That’s too unfortunate”

A slightly more formal expression of sympathy.

Scenario:
After hearing about a canceled trip, you could say, “That’s too unfortunate that the weather ruined your travel plans.”

Example 1:
“That’s too unfortunate that your proposal wasn’t accepted.”

Example 2:
“That’s too unfortunate that your team had to forfeit the match.”

Explanation:
“Too unfortunate” sounds more formal and can be used when you need to show empathy in a professional setting.

19. “That’s regrettable”

A formal way to express regret, often used in professional contexts.

Scenario:
In a business setting, if a project gets delayed, you might say, “That’s regrettable, but we’ll find a way to make it work.”

Example 1:
“That’s regrettable that your team faced setbacks in the project.”

Example 2:
“That’s regrettable that we couldn’t meet the deadline.”

Explanation:
“Regrettable” is a more professional word to express sympathy or disappointment in business or formal conversations.

20. “How disappointing”

A phrase used to express the feeling of being let down.

Scenario:
When a long-awaited event doesn’t happen, you might say, “How disappointing that the meeting was canceled last minute.”

Example 1:
“How disappointing that the event didn’t live up to expectations.”

Example 2:
“How disappointing to hear that the company closed down.”

Explanation:
“How disappointing” is a way to express the depth of your regret or letdown in response to something unexpected or negative.

21. “That’s a tough break”

A casual expression used to convey sympathy, often in situations where someone faces an unfortunate setback.

Scenario:
If someone missed a flight or faced an unfortunate situation, you might say, “That’s a tough break, I was really hoping it would work out for you.”

Example 1:
“That’s a tough break that you didn’t make it in time for the meeting.”

Example 2:
“That’s a tough break that you weren’t able to attend the concert you were looking forward to.”

Explanation:
“This is a tough break” is a more colloquial expression, typically used among friends or peers when acknowledging a disappointing situation.

22. “That’s a shame”

A general expression of regret that is suitable for most situations where something disappointing happens.

Scenario:
When someone tells you that their plans fell through, you could say, “That’s a shame, I know how much you were looking forward to it.”

Example 1:
“That’s a shame that they decided to cancel the event at the last minute.”

Example 2:
“That’s a shame that you didn’t get the opportunity to visit your family.”

Explanation:
“That’s a shame” is versatile and neutral, making it appropriate for both personal and semi-formal situations.

23. “What a disappointment”

This phrase expresses a strong sense of regret or letdown, often used when something doesn’t go as expected.

Scenario:
If a highly anticipated event doesn’t happen, you might say, “What a disappointment that the meeting was postponed.”

Example 1:
“What a disappointment that your proposal wasn’t approved.”

Example 2:
“What a disappointment that your favorite show got canceled.”

Explanation:
This phrase is more formal than some others, and it’s often used to emphasize the feeling of letdown or unmet expectations.

24. “That’s unfortunate”

A neutral and formal way to express regret or disappointment, commonly used in professional settings.

Scenario:
When someone tells you about an issue at work, you can respond by saying, “That’s unfortunate; hopefully, the problem will be resolved soon.”

Example 1:
“That’s unfortunate that you couldn’t attend the meeting.”

Example 2:
“That’s unfortunate that the project deadline had to be extended.”

Explanation:
“That’s unfortunate” is a very polite and formal expression, suitable for professional interactions or situations that require a more neutral tone.

25. “That’s too bad”

An expression of regret that is a bit more casual, used in informal settings.

Scenario:
When someone tells you their vacation plans were canceled, you might say, “That’s too bad, I know how much you were looking forward to it.”

Example 1:
“That’s too bad that the event was rescheduled to a different time.”

Example 2:
“That’s too bad that they decided to close the store earlier than usual.”

Explanation:
“This is too bad” is informal and works well in everyday conversations with friends, family, or acquaintances.

26. “What a letdown”

A phrase used to describe a feeling of disappointment, often when expectations have not been met.

Scenario:
If someone was expecting something exciting but it didn’t happen, you might say, “What a letdown that the concert was canceled.”

Example 1:
“What a letdown that we couldn’t get tickets for the event.”

Example 2:
“What a letdown that the movie wasn’t as good as we thought.”

Explanation:
“What a letdown” emphasizes the emotional impact of disappointment, and it’s typically used when the outcome is not what was hoped for.

27. “That’s regrettable”

A more formal way to express sympathy or disappointment, often used in business or formal conversations.

Scenario:
If you hear that a colleague missed an important opportunity, you could say, “That’s regrettable; I’m sure you’ll get another chance soon.”

Example 1:
“That’s regrettable that you couldn’t attend the conference.”

Example 2:
“That’s regrettable that the project faced such delays.”

Explanation:
“Regrettable” is a formal term, used in both professional and formal contexts when acknowledging something disappointing.

28. “That’s a drag”

A very informal and casual way to express disappointment or regret, often used in light-hearted situations.

Scenario:
When someone shares bad news, you might say, “That’s a drag; I was really hoping you’d make it.”

Example 1:
“That’s a drag that the concert was sold out so quickly.”

Example 2:
“That’s a drag that you won’t be able to attend the meeting.”

Explanation:
“This is a drag” is very informal and typically used in casual settings or with close friends and peers.

29. “How disappointing”

A phrase that conveys a sense of personal disappointment when something doesn’t turn out as expected.

Scenario:
When learning that someone had to cancel plans, you might say, “How disappointing that you won’t be able to come.”

Example 1:
“How disappointing that you didn’t get the promotion you were expecting.”

Example 2:
“How disappointing that the meeting was canceled.”

Explanation:
“How disappointing” emphasizes the emotional side of the situation and is a flexible expression that works in both formal and informal contexts.

30. “How sad”

This phrase expresses sympathy or sorrow, often used when learning about something unfortunate that affects others.

Scenario:
If a friend shares that they’ve lost an opportunity, you could say, “How sad, I know you were really looking forward to it.”

Example 1:
“How sad that the show was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.”

Example 2:
“How sad that the team didn’t win despite giving their best.”

Explanation:
“How sad” is an empathetic expression of regret, suitable for situations where the loss or disappointment deeply affects someone.

Why is it important to have alternative expressions for “It’s a Pity”?

Having different ways to express “It’s a pity” allows you to adapt your language to suit the context and tone of the situation. It enables you to communicate more effectively, whether you’re being formal or casual. The variety ensures that your responses don’t become monotonous or repetitive, keeping your language fresh and engaging while still conveying the intended sentiment.

Key Insight

1. Can I use “What a shame” in formal settings?

While “What a shame” is typically informal, it can be used in semi-formal situations, depending on the context.

2. Is “That’s too bad” appropriate for professional emails?

No, “That’s too bad” is quite casual and may not be suitable for formal emails. A more formal expression like “That’s unfortunate” is better.

3. Can “How sad” be used for anything other than serious matters?

While “How sad” is often used in serious contexts, it can also be used in a lighter way for less heavy situations, such as missing an event.

4. What’s the difference between “That’s regrettable” and “That’s unfortunate”?

Both express sympathy, but “That’s regrettable” tends to sound more formal and impersonal, while “That’s unfortunate” can be used in a variety of contexts, including casual conversations.

5. Are these alternatives interchangeable?

Most of these alternatives can be used interchangeably, but each carries its own tone and level of formality, so you should choose the phrase based on the context.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many alternatives to the phrase “It’s a pity” that can express sympathy, disappointment, or regret. Whether you’re talking to a friend, colleague, or in a formal setting, choosing the right expression can make your communication more effective and appropriate. By diversifying your language, you can avoid repetition and make your responses feel more genuine, thoughtful, and tailored to the situation at hand.