a misfortune for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a misfortune for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unfortunate event or situation that negatively affects someone or something. Example: "The sudden closure of the factory was a misfortune for the entire community, as many relied on it for their livelihoods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

This was, originally, a misfortune for the government.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is regarded as a misfortune for an individual, especially for a woman, not to marry.

The Guardian - Books

When he returned to work, it was in an unlikely way, adapting Chekhov's short story A Misfortune for television.

The Guardian - Film

It was a tragedy for Labour, and a misfortune for the country, that the Profumo affair thus deferred New Labour for 30 years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Raines's chances improved yesterday, of course, but he will see that development only as a misfortune for Darryl Strawberry, as will all the other Yankees.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile the English batsmen will have noted the hostility of the lanky left-armer, Shapoor Zadran, though it is a misfortune for Afghan cricket that he is unlikely to be paired with the highly rated Hamid Hassan in this tournament.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In later years, while living in retirement on the Isle of Wight, he suffered cancer of the vocal cords; the removal of his larynx reduced his ability to speak, a cruel misfortune for a man of such conviviality and eloquence, who had loved to sing while playing the piano.

The Guardian - Sport

It seemed an undeserved misfortune for a serious Flaubert specialist to be saddled with a blurb describing the creator of Madame Bovary as "a blond giant of a man with green eyes and a resonant actor's voice" and claiming the book as the first "full-fledged, truly modern biography," which of course it is not.

The New York Times - Books

Would this be a disaster, or merely, as with Vietnam, a terrible misfortune for which the United States could compensate through a contemporary version of Mr. Kennan's "intelligent long-range policies"?

The New York Times

Then we might say that this was a great misfortune for her; she deserved to have a chance to participate.

SEP

Certainly this would be a grave misfortune for the person.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a misfortune for" to clearly indicate when an event or situation has negative consequences for a specific entity. This phrase is particularly effective when highlighting the impact on individuals, groups, or organizations.

Common error

Avoid using "a misfortune for" when the situation is a result of someone's error or poor judgment. A "misfortune" typically implies an event outside of direct control, whereas a mistake is an action with unintended negative consequences. Instead, consider using phrases like "a consequence of" or "a result of" when addressing errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a misfortune for" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or part of a prepositional phrase. It identifies something as being detrimental or unlucky for someone or something else. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a misfortune for" is used to describe an event or situation with negative consequences, particularly highlighting who or what is affected. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys the idea of something unfortunate occurring to someone or something, as evidenced by its use in contexts ranging from news and media to sports and science. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with its serious nature and that the event is indeed a misfortune, not a result of error or poor judgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unfortunate circumstance for

Replaces "misfortune" with a more general term, downplaying the severity of the event.

a setback for

Substitutes "misfortune" with "setback", indicating a temporary delay or obstacle in progress.

an adverse event for

Highlights the negative or harmful nature of the occurrence.

a disadvantage for

Replaces "misfortune" with "disadvantage", focusing on the hindering aspect of the situation.

a regrettable incident for

Emphasizes the feeling of regret or sorrow associated with the event.

an ill omen for

Replaces "misfortune" with "ill omen", shifting the connotation towards a more foreboding or superstitious sense of something bad to come.

a tough break for

Uses a more informal expression to convey the unfairness of the situation.

a piece of bad luck for

Emphasizes the role of chance or luck in the unfortunate event.

an affliction for

Conveys a sense of suffering or distress caused by the misfortune.

a woe for

Uses a more archaic term for "misfortune", adding a touch of drama or lament.

FAQs

How can I use "a misfortune for" in a sentence?

Use "a misfortune for" to describe an event that negatively impacts someone or something. For example, "The factory closure was "a misfortune for" the town."

What are some alternatives to "a misfortune for"?

Alternatives include "a setback for", "an ill omen for", or "an unfortunate circumstance for", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "a misfortune to" instead of "a misfortune for"?

While "a misfortune to" might sound similar, "a misfortune for" is the more standard and grammatically correct way to express that something is unfortunate for a specific person or entity.

When is it appropriate to use "a misfortune for" in formal writing?

It is appropriate to use "a misfortune for" in formal writing when you need to clearly and directly state that an event or situation has negative consequences for someone or something. Ensure the context aligns with the serious nature of the phrase.