Ashamed vs I have never been so humiliated

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Ashamed

Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective

I have never been so humiliated

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Ashamed
 AshamedI have never been so humiliated
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/əˈʃeɪmd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈʃeɪmd/"]/🇬🇧 //aɪ hæv ˈnɛvə bɪn sərʊ ˌhjuːmɪˈleɪtɪd//🇺🇸 //aɪ hæv ˈnɛvər bɪn soʊ ˌhjuːmɪˈleɪtɪd//
MeaningFeeling bad about something you did or didn't do.I have never felt so embarrassed.
ExampleShe felt ashamed after realizing she had not helped her friend in need.After tripping on stage, I have never been so humiliated.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsbe, feel, look, deeply, really, very, about, at, ofbecome humiliated, feel humiliated, extremely humiliated, publicly humiliated, never been humiliated
Antonymsproud, unashamed-
Common mistakesMixing up 'ashamed of' with 'ashamed from'., Confusing 'ashamed' with 'embarassed'—'ashamed' is stronger., Using it in a joking manner, which can come off as insincere.Using 'humiliate' instead of 'humiliated' incorrectly., Confusing with 'ashamed' when the focus is on embarrassment., Failing to use the phrase in the correct tense.
Usage notesUse 'ashamed' to express regret about actions or feelings. It's more serious than feeling embarrassed. Avoid using it in light or fun contexts.Use this phrase to express deep embarrassment or shame. It's appropriate for both personal and formal situations, but be cautious in casual conversation as it may sound overly dramatic.

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I have never been so humiliated

Frequently asked questions: Ashamed vs I have never been so humiliated

What's the difference between Ashamed and I have never been so humiliated?

Ashamed: Feeling bad about something you did or didn't do. I have never been so humiliated: I have never felt so embarrassed.

Which is more common: Ashamed and I have never been so humiliated?

Ashamed is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Ashamed: She felt ashamed after realizing she had not helped her friend in need. I have never been so humiliated: After tripping on stage, I have never been so humiliated.

Can I use Ashamed and I have never been so humiliated interchangeably?

Not always. Ashamed and I have never been so humiliated are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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