I am unfortunately

USAGE SUMMARY

"I am unfortunately" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing regret over something that is out of your control. Example: I am unfortunately unable to attend your party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"And I am unfortunately an honest woman.

The New York Times - Style

"I am unfortunately restricted from saying more than this right now," the company's spokesperson told Recode.

The Guardian - Tech

Drawing from the electronic music pioneers Daphne Oram and Delia Derbyshire, Patriarchaeth is its leading single and is almost certainly a feminist manifesto, but I am unfortunately unable to translate its Welsh lyrics.

The Guardian - Music

When it was put to him that perhaps he could form a partnership called AK with that marketing man's dream Anna Kournikova, the normally self-confident 23-year-old suddenly went a little shy: 'I think she probably has no idea who I am, unfortunately.' Last year's Open winner received not only the Claret Jug but also a cheque for £750,000, a £30,000 increase on the first prize in 2006.

The Guardian - Sport

I am, unfortunately, addicted to cars, and Musk's statements about the motivations of car dealers ring all too true.

TechCrunch

I am, unfortunately, a smoker.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Sometimes you speak entirely fluently!" I was, unfortunately for his hypothesis, lost for words.

The Guardian - Opinion

The next weekend, I was unfortunately not able to go on the camping trip.

The New Yorker

"I wanted to be on the ground in Japan immediately, but I was unfortunately on the wrong side of the world," he said.

The New York Times

"I'm unfortunately not a Russian oligarch".

TechCrunch

I was, unfortunately, right".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I am unfortunately" to express a situation you regret but cannot change. It adds a layer of politeness to bad news or limitations.

Common error

Avoid using "I am unfortunately" too frequently in your writing or speech. Overuse can make you sound insincere or overly apologetic. Vary your language to maintain a balanced and authentic tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am unfortunately" functions as a sentence modifier, specifically to express regret or disappointment regarding a following statement. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates an undesirable situation. For example, "I am unfortunately unable to attend..."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"I am unfortunately" is a common phrase used to express regret or disappointment while delivering news or explaining a limitation. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and best used to soften the impact of bad news. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, remember to be sincere and avoid overuse to maintain authenticity. Alternative phrases such as "I regret to say" or "sadly, I" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Regrettably, I

Similar to "I regret to say", but expressed as an adverbial modifier. More formal.

I regret to say

Emphasizes the speaker's regret in conveying negative information. It's a more formal alternative.

I'm sorry to say

Focuses on the speaker's apology for what they're about to convey.

It is unfortunate that I

Highlights the unfortunate nature of a situation before personalizing it.

I am saddened to

Highlights the emotional impact on the speaker. More emotional.

Sadly, I

A more concise way to express sorrow about a situation. Less formal.

I am disappointed to

Focuses on the speaker's personal disappointment regarding the situation.

To my dismay, I

Emphasizes the speaker's disappointment about the situation.

I am not in a position to

Expresses an inability due to external circumstances or limitations.

It pains me to say

Highlights emotional distress caused by the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "I am unfortunately" in a sentence?

Use "I am unfortunately" when you need to convey disappointing news or a limitation. For example, "I am unfortunately unable to attend the meeting due to a prior engagement."

What are some alternatives to saying "I am unfortunately"?

You can use alternatives like "I regret to say", "sadly, I", or "regrettably, I" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it more appropriate to say "Unfortunately, I am" instead of "I am unfortunately"?

Both "Unfortunately, I am" and "I am unfortunately" are grammatically correct. The choice often depends on emphasis and sentence flow. "Unfortunately, I am" places more emphasis on the unfortunate situation, while "I am unfortunately" integrates the regret more directly with the action or state being described.

How can I soften the impact of negative news using "I am unfortunately"?

To soften negative news, follow "I am unfortunately" with a clear and concise explanation. For example, "I am unfortunately unable to approve your request at this time due to budget constraints." Providing context helps the recipient understand the situation.