an unfortunate match

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unfortunate match" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a pairing or combination that is not ideal or has negative consequences. Example: "The two candidates seemed like an unfortunate match, as their working styles clashed from the very beginning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is often followed up by "secondary processing" at US ports where an unfortunate match on a name or a typo on an application can condemn one to hours in a room that, it seemed to me, is overwhelmingly populated by Muslims.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The consequences of this unfortunate match are devastating, far-reaching and long-lasting.

Independent

His unfortunate match got worse late on when he was given the first red card of his professional career.

BBC

Michael's look was an unfortunate mis-match that was bulky and unflattering.

Huffington Post

Stephens lost the last nine consecutive games of the match, an unfortunate flashback to her previous match last week at the Sony Open in Miami, where she had also lost the last nine games against fourth-ranked Agnieszka Radwanska.

The New York Times

The idea to dismiss a coach emerges from a bad performance as compared to expectation (see Fig. 6) and the actual dismissal is triggered by two particularly unfortunate matches.

Plosone

In the sixth game of the 1951 world championship match, David Bronstein made an unfortunate king move (57.Kc2) and Mikhail Botvinnik punished him.

HuffPost

"Postponed matches can be an unfortunate occurrence when areas of the country experience extreme weather conditions.

BBC

There's an unfortunate childhood.

Independent

This has an unfortunate consequence.

The Economist

This is an unfortunate situation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an unfortunate match", ensure the context clearly establishes what elements are being paired and why the combination is considered negative or unsuitable.

Common error

Avoid using "an unfortunate match" when a more specific adjective would better convey the nature of the problem. For example, instead of saying "an unfortunate match" due to personality clashes, consider "an incompatible partnership".

Linguistic Context

'An unfortunate match' functions as a noun phrase where 'unfortunate' modifies the noun 'match.' It describes a pairing or combination characterized by negative consequences or incompatibility. Ludwig AI suggests that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an unfortunate match" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression used to describe a pairing or combination that results in negative consequences or incompatibility. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare in occurrence, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases like "a regrettable pairing" or "an ill-fated combination" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using "an unfortunate match", ensure that the context clearly identifies the elements being paired and the reasons for the negative assessment. Avoid using it as a vague substitute for more specific descriptors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a regrettable pairing

Emphasizes the sadness or disappointment associated with the combination.

an ill-fated combination

Highlights the negative destiny or outcome of the pairing.

a disastrous pairing

Focuses on the catastrophic nature of the combination.

a mismatched set

Highlights the lack of compatibility between the elements.

a poor combination

A more general term indicating a lack of suitability.

an incompatible pairing

Directly states the lack of compatibility.

a regrettable combination

Similar to "a regrettable pairing", but emphasizes the combination itself.

a flawed pairing

Highlights a defect or weakness in the combination.

an unsuitable match

Indicates that the pairing is not appropriate for the given context.

a doomed combination

Implies that the combination is destined to fail.

FAQs

How can I use "an unfortunate match" in a sentence?

"An unfortunate match" describes a pairing or combination that leads to negative outcomes or is unsuitable. For example, "Their differing personalities made them "an unfortunate match" in business."

What phrases are similar to "an unfortunate match"?

Alternatives include "a regrettable pairing", "an ill-fated combination", or "a disastrous pairing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "unfortunate match" formal or informal?

"Unfortunate match" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the tone of the surrounding text will ultimately determine the overall formality.

What makes a match "unfortunate"?

A match is considered "unfortunate" when the combination of two or more elements leads to undesirable results, incompatibility, or negative consequences. It implies that a better pairing would have been more beneficial.