an unfortunate result

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unfortunate result" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a negative or undesirable outcome of a situation or action. Example: "The experiment did not go as planned, leading to an unfortunate result that affected our overall findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

That's an unfortunate result.

The New York Times

The tuna sandwich is the El Camino of dishes -- two ideas colliding in an unfortunate result.

The New York Times - Food

Initially, some of the league's coaches said this would be an unfortunate result of an otherwise sunny situation.

The New York Times - Sports

As an unfortunate result, the photos are not shown in a way that tells a coherent story.

The New York Times - Books

"It's an unfortunate result for us," Jones said, "because I thought we played well enough for a victory".

The New York Times - Sports

They found that new fathers were not looking to their own fathers for guidance — an unfortunate result of the generational break in parenting relationships.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The unfortunate result: a product design that couldn't be defended on either technical or political grounds and renewed skepticism throughout the company about the usefulness of teams.

Harvard Business Review

They insisted that rape be treated as a crime, not the unfortunate result of women's "wrong" behavior -- like wearing the wrong clothes or dating the wrong guy or sending the wrong message.

Huffington Post

VIDEO: Summer 2013 TV preview And just last month, Colbert spoke candidly about the frustration of seeing his sister lose to former Gov. Mark Sanford in a special election in a South Carolina congressional race, suggesting the outcome was the unfortunate result of a bitterly partisan political atmosphere.

Los Angeles Times

The unfortunate result is an obstacle course of redundancies that makes it difficult for the reader to be courted by the story.

The New York Times - Books

The incident was the unfortunate result of an attempt by armed groups to reach another target; the mortar accidentally hit the UNICEF premises.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an unfortunate result", ensure the context clearly establishes the cause or action that led to the negative outcome. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "an unfortunate result" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Consider more precise and impactful synonyms like "a detrimental consequence" or "an adverse effect" to enhance the sophistication of your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unfortunate result" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or an appositive. It describes a negative consequence or outcome. This aligns with Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage in expressing undesirable outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unfortunate result" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a negative or undesirable outcome. As noted by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and suitable across various contexts. While versatile, consider alternative expressions like "a regrettable consequence" or "an undesirable outcome" for enhanced precision or formality. Its prevalence in News & Media sources suggests a neutral register, suitable for broad communication. Remember to contextualize the phrase by clearly establishing the cause of the negative result to maximize clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a regrettable consequence

Replaces "unfortunate" with "regrettable", emphasizing the feeling of sorrow or disappointment associated with the outcome.

an undesirable outcome

Focuses on the lack of desirability of the result, rather than emphasizing the element of bad luck.

a negative consequence

Highlights the adverse nature of the result, suitable for contexts where the impact is explicitly harmful.

a disappointing conclusion

Emphasizes the feeling of letdown associated with the final outcome.

an unfavorable development

Implies a change or progression leading to a negative state, often used in formal or business contexts.

an adverse effect

Focuses specifically on the detrimental impact of the result, commonly used in scientific or technical contexts.

an unwelcome development

Stresses the lack of acceptance or desire for the outcome.

a calamitous result

Elevates the severity of the outcome, suggesting a disastrous or ruinous effect.

a poor outcome

A more general term simply stating that the result was not good.

a setback

Emphasizes the hindering or delaying aspect of the result, suggesting a temporary impediment.

FAQs

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

You can use "an unfortunate result" to describe a negative outcome. For example, "The experiment's failure was "an unfortunate result" of inadequate preparation."

What phrases can I use instead of "an unfortunate result"?

Alternatives include "a regrettable consequence", "an undesirable outcome", or "a negative consequence" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "unfortunate outcome" or "unfortunate result"?

Both "unfortunate outcome" and "unfortunate result" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice depends on stylistic preference and context. "Outcome" often implies a more comprehensive conclusion, while "result" can refer to a specific effect.

What's the difference between "an unfortunate result" and "a disappointing conclusion"?

"An unfortunate result" emphasizes the element of bad luck or unintended negativity, while "a disappointing conclusion" highlights the feeling of unmet expectations. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.