but unfortunately when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but unfortunately when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a negative or unfortunate situation that occurs at a specific time or under certain conditions. Example: "I was excited to go to the concert, but unfortunately when I arrived, it had already sold out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"We don't want to show the dark side of adolescence," Mr. Améris said, "but, unfortunately, when teens kill themselves, the first thing the parents say is, 'We didn't see it coming.' When we see a 15-year-old character, it's often from the viewpoint of an adult.

The New York Times

But unfortunately, when it counted, I gave him a little too much respect.

The Guardian - Sport

But unfortunately, when we see a body get pulled out, wrapped in the flag, you still can't help but cry".

The New York Times

I just sit and listen to the radio and watch TV and have lots of friends, but unfortunately when you get old people don't visit - that's life".

Independent

I would like to have drawn Bennett further on his comments, but unfortunately, when I contacted his agent to request a meeting, my invitation was declined.

Independent

"There was supposed to be a performance in Xi'an about Tang Dynasty ladies playing polo, but unfortunately when I contacted them, that performance was cancelled.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Viewers originally criticised Dale for his emotionless performance on the show, but that ended last week ("unfortunately") when he welled-up after cooking a disappointing meal for Marcus Wareing.

Independent

Angela started blogging several years ago before she had children, but unfortunately stopped when she became pregnant.

Huffington Post

"Unfortunately, when I left, they had amnesia".

The New Yorker

Except, unfortunately, when they do.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unfortunately, when we say that, it's self-serving.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but unfortunately when" to introduce a specific point in time where an adverse situation arises, creating a clear contrast between expectation and reality. For instance, "We hoped for good weather, but unfortunately when we arrived, it started to rain."

Common error

Avoid overuse of "but unfortunately when" in close proximity within your writing. This can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but unfortunately when" functions as a complex conjunction, linking two contrasting ideas while also specifying the temporal context in which the unfortunate situation occurs. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

29%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but unfortunately when" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to introduce a negative situation that arises at a specific point in time. It serves to highlight the contrast between expectation and reality while conveying a sense of disappointment. While frequently found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and academic writing. To avoid repetition, consider using alternatives like "however, sadly, when" or "yet regrettably when". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is appropriate for various contexts, making it a versatile tool for expressing nuanced adversative and temporal relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, regrettably, when

Replaces "unfortunately" with "regrettably", maintaining the adversative conjunction and temporal clause.

but sadly when

Substitutes "unfortunately" with "sadly", keeping the conjunction and temporal structure.

but regrettably when

Replaces "unfortunately" with "regrettably", emphasizing regret in the specified time frame.

yet sadly when

Changes "but" to "yet" while replacing "unfortunately" with "sadly", retaining the temporal clause.

however sadly when

Replaces "but unfortunately" with "however sadly", keeping the temporal element.

though regrettably when

Begins with "though" instead of "but" and uses "regrettably" in place of "unfortunately", keeping the temporal structure.

although unfortunately when

Replaces "but" with "although", maintaining the original wording otherwise.

but sadly at the time when

Adds "at the time" for emphasis on the temporality, changing "unfortunately" to "sadly".

however, with regret, when

Expresses regret more explicitly with "with regret" instead of "unfortunately".

but alas when

Replaces "unfortunately" with "alas", providing a more literary or dramatic tone.

FAQs

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

Use "but unfortunately when" to introduce a negative outcome that occurs at a specific time. For example, "I had planned a picnic, but unfortunately when I got there, it started raining."

What are some alternatives to "but unfortunately when"?

You can use alternatives such as "however, sadly, when", "but, sadly, when", or "yet, regrettably, when" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but unfortunately when"?

While starting a sentence with "but" is acceptable, ensure the full phrase "but unfortunately when" is followed by a complete clause to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity. For example: "But unfortunately when the time came, I wasn't ready."

What's the difference between "but unfortunately when" and "however when"?

"But unfortunately when" explicitly conveys disappointment or regret alongside the adversative and temporal elements. In contrast, "however when" simply indicates a contrast and a time frame, without the explicit expression of disappointment. "However when" is slightly less emphatic.