ellas
C1Formal, literary, somewhat archaic.
Definition
Meaning
An interjection expressing regret, sorrow, or grief.
A lamentation or expression of disappointment about a situation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Used to introduce or emphasize a statement about an unfortunate situation. It carries a tone of resigned sadness rather than acute pain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage or meaning between BrE and AmE.
Connotations
Both perceive it as literary and slightly old-fashioned.
Frequency
Equally uncommon in casual speech in both varieties, reserved for written or formal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Alas, + [unfortunate clause]Alas for + [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Alas and alack”
- “Alas, poor Yorick!”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Occasionally in historical or literary analysis.
Everyday
Rare, used for humorous or dramatic effect.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Alas, I forgot my keys at home.
- The cake looked good, but alas, it was dry.
- Alas, the funding for the project was withdrawn at the last minute.
- He hoped to arrive on time, but alas, the traffic was terrible.
- Alas for the empire, its golden age had passed.
- The theory was elegant, but alas, it was contradicted by the experimental evidence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'A LAss Sighed' - a young woman sighing with regret.
Conceptual Metaphor
SADNESS IS A BURDEN (expressed with a sigh).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'увы' in modern contexts; it sounds archaic.
- Do not confuse with 'alas' as a plural noun in other languages.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in casual conversation.
- Pronouncing it /ˈeɪ.læs/.
- Placing it at the end of a sentence (it typically introduces the statement).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'alas' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered formal and somewhat archaic. It is more common in writing than in everyday speech.
It is most commonly used at the beginning of a clause, set off by a comma. It can sometimes be used parenthetically in the middle.
'Alas' is more literary and carries a stronger connotation of sorrow or lament. 'Unfortunately' is neutral and standard for everyday use.
No, 'alas' functions only as an interjection. Related words are the verb 'lament' or the noun 'lamentation'.