great misfortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great misfortune" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a very unfortunate or unlucky event or situation. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in a narrative or in expressing sympathy. Example: "The family's great misfortune began when their house was destroyed in a fire, leaving them with no place to call home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Thus, the great misfortune of this country is the Shah.

The New Yorker

His great misfortune was that he confused art with life.

The New York Times - Books

I have always felt this a great misfortune.

The New Yorker

Many of these investors, to their great misfortune, bought principal-protected notes issued by Lehman Brothers.

The New York Times

Thus, we have almost fully recovered from what we have agreed to call The Great Misfortune.

The New York Times

First off, great misfortune must befall all the other teams in the postseason.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

It was the same with the herbivore, whose gradual disappearance is arguably one of post-war Britain's great misfortunes.

Independent

But Currey was surprised, in researching his book, by the sheer ubiquity of walking, especially in the daily routines of composers, including Beethoven, Mahler, Erik Satie and Tchaikovksy, "who believed he had to take a walk of exactly two hours a day and that if he returned even a few minutes early, great misfortunes would befall him".

The Guardian

Just as even great misfortunes don't throw Aristotle's virtuous individual into misery, they don't throw Rand's heroes into misery.

SEP

In 985 al-Muqaddasi noted that Homs was the largest city in all of Syria, but it had suffered "great misfortunes" and was "threatened with ruin".

Wikipedia

These exceptional young people have not only prevailed against great misfortunes, but with caring adult support, they have thrived by working hard, striving for academic excellence and contributing to their communities.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great misfortune" to describe events that have significant negative consequences for individuals, communities, or even entire nations. It's stronger than simply saying "bad luck".

Common error

Avoid using "great misfortune" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations involving genuine hardship, loss, or tragedy. Using it too often dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great misfortune" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an unlucky event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great misfortune" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe significant adverse events. As Ludwig AI's analysis states, it generally evokes a strong sense of hardship or tragedy. Its frequency is high, particularly within news and media contexts. While versatile, it should be reserved for situations genuinely deserving of such a strong term, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Alternatives like "terrible adversity" or "tragic event" can be employed depending on the nuance desired. Be mindful when using "great misfortune", as overusing it in trivial context may dilute its impact and meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tragic event

Highlights the sorrow and loss associated with the misfortune.

calamitous situation

Implies a widespread and disastrous impact of the misfortune.

terrible adversity

Focuses on the hardship and suffering caused by the misfortune.

grave crisis

Focuses on the urgency and seriousness of the unfortunate situation.

severe setback

Emphasizes the hindrance or obstacle caused by the unfortunate event.

deep sorrow

Highlights the emotional distress and sadness resulting from the event.

unfortunate circumstance

Downplays the severity, presenting it as a matter of chance or situation.

bitter disappointment

Emphasizes the feeling of unfulfilled expectations and regret.

unfavorable turn of events

Presents the misfortune as a negative shift in circumstances.

stroke of bad luck

Attributing the misfortune to chance and ill fate.

FAQs

How to use "great misfortune" in a sentence?

Use "great misfortune" to describe a significantly negative or tragic event. For example, "The loss of their home was a "great misfortune" for the family".

What can I say instead of "great misfortune"?

Alternatives include "terrible adversity", "tragic event", or "calamitous situation" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "great misfortune"?

The phrase "great misfortune" is most appropriate when describing events that have caused significant hardship, loss, or suffering. It should not be used for minor inconveniences or trivial matters.

What is the difference between "great misfortune" and "bad luck"?

"Great misfortune" implies a more serious and impactful event than "bad luck". "Bad luck" might refer to a minor inconvenience, whereas "great misfortune" suggests a significant tragedy or hardship.