but unfortunately for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but unfortunately for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a negative outcome or situation that affects someone or something, often following a positive statement. Example: "She had high hopes for the project, but unfortunately for her, it was canceled at the last minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, unfortunately for Obama, the reverse is not true.

The New York Times

But unfortunately for P Diddy, he isn't English.

The Guardian - Film

But unfortunately for us cat lovers, the latter doesn't seem to be the case.

University of California, Berkeley

But unfortunately for Lewis, he joined the best team straight away, which is McLaren.

The New York Times - Sports

Newport's only 140 miles away, but unfortunately for my travelling companion, it is still in Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

But unfortunately for her fellow boomers, they must shuffle on without her.

The Economist

"Fortunately for men," House writes, "Allah is distant, but unfortunately for women, men are ­omnipresent".

The New York Times - Books

But unfortunately for Lecce, the democratic virus has arrived in Tirana, too.

Independent

But unfortunately for the couple, neither could visit the other's homeland due to legal restrictions.

The Guardian

Their chemistry is undeniable, but unfortunately for the pair, Freeheld doesn't seem interested in capturing it.

The Guardian - Film

But unfortunately for the Force, financial success does not equal Oscar buzz.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but unfortunately for" to smoothly transition from a positive or neutral statement to a negative consequence, ensuring clear contrast for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "but unfortunately for" repeatedly within a short span of text; this can make your writing sound repetitive and monotonous. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms or restructuring sentences to convey the same meaning more elegantly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but unfortunately for" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses or sentences, indicating a contrast or an unexpected negative consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and is used to introduce a negative outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science & Research

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but unfortunately for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that introduces a negative consequence or disappointing outcome, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonymous alternatives to maintain writing flow. The phrase serves to highlight a contrast, often following a positive or neutral statement, to convey a sense of misfortune or negative impact on a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but sadly for

Replaces "unfortunately" with "sadly", emphasizing the sorrowful aspect of the situation.

but regrettably for

Substitutes "unfortunately" with "regrettably", highlighting the speaker's or writer's regret about the situation.

but unluckily for

Replaces "unfortunately" with "unluckily", focusing on the element of bad luck or chance.

but to the misfortune of

Uses "misfortune" instead of "unfortunately", emphasizing the negative fate or luck involved.

however, to the detriment of

Offers a more formal alternative, indicating a negative impact or disadvantage.

yet to the disadvantage of

Highlights that someone or something is placed in a less favorable position.

but as fate would have it for

Introduces the concept of fate or destiny as the cause of the unfavorable outcome.

but to the cost of

Focuses on the price or sacrifice paid by someone or something as a result of the situation.

but adversely affecting

A more direct and formal way to express a negative impact or influence.

but with negative consequences for

Clearly states that the situation leads to negative results for the specified party.

FAQs

How can I use "but unfortunately for" in a sentence?

The phrase "but unfortunately for" is used to introduce a negative outcome or situation that affects someone or something, often following a positive or neutral statement. For example: "The team played well, "but unfortunately for" them, the other team played better."

What phrases are similar to "but unfortunately for"?

You can use alternatives like "but sadly for", "but regrettably for", or "but unluckily for" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to include "but" before "unfortunately for"?

While not always grammatically required, including "but" often provides a smoother transition and highlights the contrast between the initial statement and the unfortunate consequence. Omitting "but" may make the sentence sound slightly abrupt.

What is the difference between "unfortunately for" and "but unfortunately for"?

"Unfortunately for" can stand alone to introduce a piece of bad news. Adding "but" before "unfortunately for" typically connects it to a previous statement, creating a contrast or unexpected twist. For example, "She trained hard; unfortunately for her, she got injured" vs. "She trained hard, "but unfortunately for" her, she got injured".