an unwelcome

USAGE SUMMARY

"an unwelcome" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is not desired or is intrusive. Example: "He received an unwelcome surprise at the party." Alternative expressions include "an unwanted" and "an undesirable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Others regard it as an unwelcome distraction.

The New York Times

Hormone-treated milk makes an unwelcome chaser.

The Economist

Drunken hate speech is an unwelcome distraction.

The Guardian

It was shared by an unwelcome guest".

The New York Times

It was, however, never an unwelcome call.

The Guardian

The announcement was an unwelcome surprise.

The New York Times - Sports

Not that this is an unwelcome thing.

The New York Times

It was not an unwelcome pregnancy, however.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Slade considered it an unwelcome precedent.

The New York Times - Sports

This desperate little speech became an unwelcome refrain.

The New Yorker

But lately it has made an unwelcome return.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unwelcome" when you want to emphasize that an event or entity is intrusive or disrupts an established flow, such as in "an unwelcome distraction" or "an unwelcome guest".

Common error

Ensure you use the indefinite article "an" before "unwelcome". Because the word starts with a vowel sound, using "a" is a common but incorrect grammatical slip.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unwelcome" functions as an adjectival modifier within a noun phrase. It combines the indefinite article "an" with the negative adjective "unwelcome" to quantify and describe a following noun. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it frequently modifies abstract nouns like "distraction", "surprise", or "development".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Social Media

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an unwelcome" is a highly effective and grammatically correct way to describe something that is not desired or is perceived as an intrusion. According to Ludwig AI and the extensive data from high-authority sources, this expression is a staple in professional journalism and formal writing. It is most frequently paired with nouns that represent events or interruptions, such as "distraction", "surprise", or "guest". Its usage is consistent and universally accepted across various English-speaking regions. When writing, remember that it carries a slightly more formal tone than "unwanted" and always requires the article "an" due to its initial vowel sound. It serves as a sophisticated tool for writers to convey a lack of consent or pleasure regarding a specific development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unwanted

More common in casual speech and focuses directly on the lack of desire for the object

an undesirable

Often used in formal or technical contexts to describe outcomes or qualities

an uninvited

Specifically applied to people or things that enter a space without permission

an unsolicited

Used primarily for communication or advice that was not requested

an intrusive

Stronger connotation of violating boundaries or privacy

a displeasing

A more aesthetic or emotional way to describe something not liked

a disagreeable

Suggests a personal feeling of dislike rather than a general state of being not welcome

an adverse

Typically used in scientific or medical contexts to describe negative effects

a regrettable

Shifts focus to the feeling of remorse or disappointment regarding the event

an inappropriate

Focuses on the lack of suitability for a particular social or professional context

FAQs

How do I use "an unwelcome" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something that causes irritation or is not desired. For example: "The noise from the construction site was <a href="/s/an+unwelcome+distraction" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unwelcome distraction during my meeting."

What is the difference between "an unwelcome" and "an unwanted"?

While similar, "an unwelcome" often suggests that something is intrusive or specifically rejected by the recipient's preference, whereas "<a href="/s/an+unwanted" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unwanted" is a broader term for anything not desired.

Can I use "an unwelcome" in business writing?

Yes, it is perfectly appropriate for professional contexts, especially when describing <a href="/s/an+unwelcome+development" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unwelcome development or a negative change in market conditions.

Is it "a unwelcome" or "an unwelcome"?

The correct form is "an unwelcome". Since the word "unwelcome" begins with a vowel sound (u), the article "an" must be used instead of "a".