feel unfortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel unfortunate" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express regret or pity at a difficult or unfavorable situation. For example: "I feel unfortunate that I wasn't able to attend the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

HuffPost

BBC

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

At the end of it, Villarreal could feel unfortunate not to have become the second team in all competitions to defeat Diego Simeone's team.

The Guardian - Sport

Dino Zoff's relegation-threatened side will feel unfortunate not to have gained at least a point after the former West Brom midfielder Enzo Maresca gave them an early lead.

The Guardian - Sport

To be clear, Seattle weren't bad as such and could feel unfortunate to go down to defeat on the basis of two penalties, They scored a spectacular free kick and were inches away from Clint Dempsey drawing them level.

The Guardian - Sport

We looked the fitter side, I think the boys can feel unfortunate".

BBC

We dominated the game in terms of chances and we feel unfortunate not to have had at least one penalty.

BBC

Part-time Workington will feel unfortunate not to have crossed the line at least once, coming close when hooker Graeme Mattinson's 30-metre dart was halted by Owens and Hock and when Marc Shackley fumbled with the line at his mercy.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Since I was a kid I've felt unfortunate to have diabetes, but now I have to consider myself lucky because my insulin, on my husband's health insurance plan, comes at a somewhat reasonable price.

The New York Times

It felt unfortunate that Equatorial Guinea, for whom history gives no reason to expect another appearance at this level any time soon, could not contest this fixture in front of the kind of audience their achievement has merited.

The Guardian - Sport

Afterward, Bernstein told Showtime All-Access, "The attention is supposed to be on the two fighters, so, for me, to be perfectly candid, it feels unfortunate because I don't ever want the focus on me when we're doing something about boxers.

Los Angeles Times

Onions, who has not had a chance to do anything wrong except in the nets, can feel especially unfortunate.

Independent

"I feel so unfortunate and I wouldn't wish this on anyone, especially to have it happen in a match where we were in control," Krieger said in a release by the U.S. federation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel unfortunate" to express empathy or understanding when acknowledging someone else's difficult situation. It conveys a sense of shared regret or concern.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "feel unfortunate" can sound somewhat informal in highly professional or academic writing. Consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "regret" or "deplore" to convey a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel unfortunate" functions as a subjective expression of emotion or empathy. It is used to convey a sense of regret, disappointment, or sympathy regarding a particular situation or event, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

HuffPost

30%

BBC

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feel unfortunate" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey a sense of regret or empathy toward an unfavorable situation. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, including news and media. While classified as having a neutral register, it might be better to avoid it in very formal writing. Ludwig AI highlights the correctness of the phrase. When aiming for alternatives, ""feel unlucky"" and ""feel regretful"" offer close semantic alignment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel unlucky

This alternative directly replaces 'unfortunate' with 'unlucky', maintaining a very similar meaning related to experiencing bad luck.

feel regretful

This alternative focuses on the feeling of regret about a situation, rather than just acknowledging misfortune.

feel disappointed

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of letdown or dissatisfaction, shifting the focus from the external situation to the internal emotional response.

feel aggrieved

This alternative implies a sense of injustice or unfair treatment contributing to the feeling of misfortune.

feel sad about it

This alternative expresses a general feeling of sadness regarding an event, which is a more general emotional response.

feel cursed

This alternative suggests that someone or something is under a curse.

feel the sting of misfortune

This alternative is a more figurative way to express the suffering caused by unfortunate circumstances.

feel the weight of adversity

This alternative highlights the burden and challenge associated with unfortunate events.

feel beset by ill fate

This alternative emphasizes the continued or repeated nature of misfortune, suggesting being constantly troubled by bad luck.

feel jinxed

This alternative indicates a belief that one is under a spell or has exceptionally bad luck.

FAQs

How can I use "feel unfortunate" in a sentence?

You can use "feel unfortunate" to express that you regret a particular situation or event. For example, "I "feel unfortunate" that I missed the opportunity to meet you".

What are some alternatives to saying "feel unfortunate"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives such as "feel unlucky", "feel regretful", or "feel disappointed".

Is it correct to say "I feel unfortunate"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "I "feel unfortunate"". It expresses a sense of regret or disappointment about a situation.

What is the difference between "feel unfortunate" and "am unfortunate"?

"Feel unfortunate" describes a temporary emotion or reaction to a specific event, while "am unfortunate" describes a more general or ongoing state of being. For example, you might "feel unfortunate" about losing a game, but you wouldn't typically say "I am unfortunate" unless describing a long-term situation.