how unfortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

"how unfortunate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express sympathy towards someone's bad luck or misfortune. For example, "I heard your flight was delayed. How unfortunate!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How unfortunate.

The New York Times

"How unfortunate," the other lady murmured.

The New Yorker

How unfortunate for the young amateur.

The Guardian - Sport

How unfortunate that Stanford has this blog associated with them.

Stanford University

I said, "How unfortunate that would be if you were fifty-four.

The New Yorker

"There's something that touches you about it, how unfortunate it is.

Independent

How unfortunate it will be if the new Legislature reverts to type.

The New York Times

But Simon [Cowell] rang me and said how unfortunate I was.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

(How unfortunate can an abbreviation be? You can almost smell the deceit, laid down like asphalt).

The New Yorker

How unfortunate, and how ironic, it would be for the left to make the same mistake.

The Guardian - Opinion

Someone lamented how unfortunate Borden was to have a girlfriend who demanded coddling.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how unfortunate" to express sympathy or mild disappointment in response to someone's negative experience. It's a versatile phrase suitable for many situations.

Common error

While "how unfortunate" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional settings where more sophisticated vocabulary may be appropriate. Consider alternatives like "it is regrettable" or "it is a matter of concern".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how unfortunate" functions primarily as an exclamatory expression of sympathy or regret. It acknowledges an undesirable situation and conveys a sense of disappointment or empathy. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how unfortunate" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express sympathy or mild disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and academia. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal settings. Consider using alternatives like "that's a pity" or "it's regrettable" for nuanced expression. Remember that the primary function of "how unfortunate" is to acknowledge and validate someone's negative experience in a polite and relatively understated manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a shame

Emphasizes the feeling of disappointment.

that's a pity

More informal and direct expression of regret.

it's a shame

Expresses disappointment that something didn't happen or isn't the way it should be.

that's too bad

Casual way to express sympathy for someone's misfortune.

it's disappointing

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment caused by the situation.

it's regrettable

More formal way of saying "how unfortunate".

that's a crying shame

Emphasizes the disappointment in a more dramatic way.

that's unlucky

Highlights the element of bad luck involved.

it's a misfortune

More formal and emphasizes the negative impact of the event.

what a blow

Emphasizes the sudden and negative impact of the event.

FAQs

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

"How unfortunate" is typically used as a direct response to hearing about something negative. For example, "I heard you missed your flight. How unfortunate!"

What phrases are similar to "how unfortunate"?

You can use alternatives like "that's a pity", "that's too bad", or "it's regrettable" depending on the context.

Is "how unfortunate" suitable for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "how unfortunate" may be perceived as less formal. Consider alternatives like "it is regrettable" or "it is a matter of concern" for more formal contexts.

When should I avoid using "how unfortunate"?

Avoid using "how unfortunate" when a more direct or specific expression of sympathy or concern is required. Also, be mindful of overusing it in a single conversation.