an unfortunate statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unfortunate statement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a remark or declaration that is regrettable or has negative implications. Example: "His comments during the meeting were an unfortunate statement that overshadowed the positive progress we had made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"That's an unfortunate statement.

The New York Times

It was an unfortunate statement, as we said, as she's acknowledged.

The New York Times

Further, Qaddafi's violence plays into the hands of those people in Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere who wish to advance the idea that "democracy is messy" — an unfortunate statement uttered by former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq — and build support for the elusive promise of stability through a return to autocracy.

The New York Times

Andresen's father, Eric, voiced his own disappointment at the surprise reversal and said that Fenoglio's action makes an unfortunate statement.

Huffington Post

But his behavior is an unfortunate statement on the extremes to which humans will self-fortify to compensate for an inadequacy or fill a void.

Huffington Post

"This is an unfortunate statement about the culture we live in, when an organization like ours is deemed unfit to help children in need simply because we hold to biblical beliefs about marriage and family," said Focus President Jim Daly.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The chairman of that festival, Salman Rushdie, criticized the travel prohibition as "an extremely unfortunate statement on the part of Chinese authorities about its willingness to engage in free and open cultural exchange".

The New York Times

In response, Pakistan's minister of information, Firdous Ashiq Awan, said that Admiral Mullen had made an "extremely irresponsible and unfortunate statement".

The New York Times

But her performance in Andrew Haigh's drama about an ageing couple is astonishingly moving and well worth a watch (when you can finally look past her unfortunate statement).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Comment on Gov. Romney's unfortunate statement that he had been "brainwashed" during his trip to Vietnam in 1965.

The New Yorker

By William Whitworth The New Yorker, September 23 , 1967P. 42 Comment on Gov. Romney's unfortunate statement that he had been "brainwashed" during his trip to Vietnam in 1965.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an unfortunate statement", consider the impact and consequences of the statement you are referring to. Providing context can strengthen your point and help the reader understand the significance of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "an unfortunate statement" without explaining why it is considered unfortunate. Failing to provide context can leave your audience confused and diminish the impact of your message. Always clarify the specific issue or negative outcome associated with the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unfortunate statement" functions as a noun phrase, where "unfortunate" is an adjective modifying the noun "statement". It typically serves to describe a remark or declaration that is regrettable or has negative implications. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unfortunate statement" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe a remark that is regrettable or has negative repercussions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to express disapproval or regret, highlighting the undesirable consequences of a particular statement. When using this phrase, providing context is essential to ensure clarity and impact. While several alternatives exist, such as "a regrettable comment" or "an ill-advised remark", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. It is important to remember the goal of the phrase is to call out a situation but to highlight the consequences and allow a further explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a regrettable comment

Replaces 'unfortunate' with 'regrettable' and 'statement' with 'comment', emphasizing the sorrowful aspect of the remark.

an ill-advised remark

Substitutes 'unfortunate' with 'ill-advised' and 'statement' with 'remark', highlighting the lack of wisdom in the comment.

an inappropriate comment

Replaces 'unfortunate' with 'inappropriate', focusing on the unsuitability of the statement.

a regrettable assertion

Replaces 'unfortunate' with 'regrettable' and 'statement' with 'assertion', which lends a more formal tone.

an unwise declaration

Replaces 'unfortunate' with 'unwise' and 'statement' with 'declaration', underscoring the lack of judgment involved.

a damaging comment

Emphasizes the harmful potential of the comment, rather than just its unfortunate nature.

a problematic remark

Highlights that the remark caused problems or is difficult to deal with.

an unhappy pronouncement

Replaces 'statement' with 'pronouncement', suggesting a more formal or authoritative utterance, and 'unfortunate' with 'unhappy' which is a synonym.

a regrettable utterance

Replaces 'statement' with 'utterance' and 'unfortunate' with 'regrettable' emphasizing the sorrowful aspect of the remark.

a clumsy remark

Indicates the statement was delivered without skill or grace, resulting in an unfortunate outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "an unfortunate statement" to refer to a remark that is regrettable or has negative implications. For example, "His comments during the meeting were "an unfortunate statement" that overshadowed the positive progress we had made."

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

You can use alternatives like "a regrettable comment", "an ill-advised remark", or "an inappropriate comment" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "unfortunate statement" or "regrettable statement"?

Both "unfortunate statement" and "regrettable statement" are acceptable. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Unfortunate" suggests bad luck or a negative outcome, while "regrettable" implies sorrow or remorse.

What makes a statement "an unfortunate statement"?

A statement becomes ""an unfortunate statement"" when it causes harm, offense, or has negative consequences. It can be due to poor timing, insensitive language, or factual inaccuracies.