a string of misfortunes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a string of misfortunes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a series of unfortunate events or experiences that someone has faced over a period of time. Example: "After losing his job, his car broke down, and then he fell ill; it truly felt like a string of misfortunes had befallen him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Alas, Thailand has since suffered a string of misfortunes: bird flu, last year's tsunami, a prolonged drought and an intensifying insurgency in some Muslim areas.

The Economist

Jake (Cam Gigandet) is a morose young man in Berkeley, Calif., who becomes even more so when, on his birthday, he is hit with a string of misfortunes — including losing his job and his girlfriend — that strains credulity.

The New York Times

The previous day, moreover, he received news that his mother was involved in a car accident in Paris, the latest in a string of misfortunes that had bedeviled his family in recent months.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Then her life unraveled in a string of misfortune.

The New York Times - Arts

More importantly, it terminated a string of misfortune which Conor O'Shea, the director of rugby, described as unparallelled in his five years at the club.

Independent

But a string of recent misfortunes is enough to make even the most determined suitor think twice.

The New York Times

But the most remarkable feature of the proceedings was the string of misfortunes that began to strike the witnesses for the prosecution.

The New Yorker

But in 1992, dogged by a string of bad record deals, waning popularity and personal misfortunes, La Lupe died at 53, broke and forgotten, in the South Bronx.

The New York Times

Oh, God, it's happening again, he panicked: His former employers -- the ones who had fired him from a string of universities and colleges -- would be cackling at his misfortune, happy they'd driven him out.

The New York Times - Magazine

The files of the God of Gamblers case can be read as a string of accidents, good and bad: Siu's run at the baccarat table; Wong's luck to be assigned an assassin with a conscience; Adelson's misfortune that reporters noticed an obscure murder plot involving his casino.

The New Yorker

It has suffered a string of setbacks.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a string of misfortunes", ensure the context clearly establishes a sequence of related unfortunate events, rather than isolated incidents. Highlight the connection between them to emphasize the ongoing nature of the bad luck.

Common error

Avoid using "a string of misfortunes" for minor inconveniences; reserve it for genuinely impactful or significantly negative occurrences to maintain credibility and avoid exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a string of misfortunes" functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, describing a sequence of unfortunate events. As Ludwig AI states, it correctly describes series of unfortunate events or experiences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a string of misfortunes" is a grammatically sound phrase used to depict a series of unfortunate events. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. The phrase carries a neutral tone and effectively communicates prolonged adversity. Remembering to reserve this phrase for truly impactful situations and utilizing related alternatives, such as "a series of unfortunate events", can enhance writing precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of unfortunate events

Focuses on the events themselves being unfortunate, similar to the original phrase.

a run of bad luck

Emphasizes the element of chance or luck involved in the misfortunes.

a spate of calamities

Implies a sudden and intense outbreak of disastrous events, adding a sense of urgency.

a streak of hardship

Highlights the difficult and challenging nature of the misfortunes.

a chain of woes

Focuses on the sorrowful and distressing aspect of the misfortunes.

a tale of woe

Suggests the misfortunes are a narrative or story, often evoking sympathy.

a litany of disasters

Implies a long and repetitive list of unfortunate events.

an accumulation of setbacks

Focuses on the cumulative effect of the misfortunes as obstacles or hindrances.

a cascade of problems

Suggests one problem leads to another in quick succession.

an unlucky break

Singular focus on bad luck rather than a series of instances.

FAQs

How can I use "a string of misfortunes" in a sentence?

You can use "a string of misfortunes" to describe a series of unfortunate events that happen to someone or something. For example: "After losing his job, his house, and his wife, it seemed like "a string of misfortunes" befell him."

What phrases are similar to "a string of misfortunes"?

Alternatives to "a string of misfortunes" include "a series of unfortunate events", "a run of bad luck", or "a succession of disasters".

Is it appropriate to use "a string of misfortunes" in formal writing?

Yes, "a string of misfortunes" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when describing serious or significant unfortunate events. Consider the specific context to ensure it fits the tone.

What's the difference between "a string of misfortunes" and "a stroke of bad luck"?

"A string of misfortunes" implies a series of unfortunate events, while "a stroke of bad luck" refers to a single instance of misfortune. One describes a pattern, the other an isolated incident.