it's unfortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it's unfortunate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of regret or sympathy about something bad that happened or is happening. For example: "It's unfortunate that they couldn't make it to the game; it would have been so fun to have them there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's unfortunate, I guess.

The New York Times - Sports

It's unfortunate, however.

The New Yorker

"It's unfortunate," he said.

The New York Times

"Yes, it's unfortunate.

Independent

So it's unfortunate.

The New York Times

"It's unfortunate," Heiden said.

The New York Times

But it's unfortunate".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's unfortunate," Torre said.

The New York Times - Sports

And it's unfortunate".

The New York Times

It's unfortunate for his creditors".

The New York Times

It's unfortunate, but that's racing".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it's unfortunate", follow it with a 'that' clause to specify what you find regrettable. For example, "It's unfortunate that the event was cancelled."

Common error

Avoid using "it's unfortunate" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated vocabulary to convey nuanced feelings of regret or disappointment. Alternatives such as "regrettable", "deplorable", or "lamentable" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's unfortunate" primarily functions as an expressive statement, conveying a feeling of regret or disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's unfortunate" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express regret or disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it enjoys widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to consider the audience and choose more formal alternatives like "it's regrettable" or "it's lamentable" for academic and highly professional settings. Remember to follow it with a 'that' clause to specify the unfortunate event and to avoid overuse in very formal writing to maintain precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's a pity

This alternative is more concise and emphasizes a feeling of sorrow.

it's regrettable

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the cause for regret.

it's a shame

This alternative conveys a sense of disappointment and mild regret.

it's disappointing

This alternative focuses on the feeling of letdown associated with the situation.

it's a matter of regret

This alternative expresses the sentiment more formally and explicitly.

it's a cause for concern

This alternative highlights the worrying aspect of the situation.

it's a lost cause

This alternative suggests that the situation is beyond remedy or hope.

it's a crying shame

This alternative amplifies the expression, denoting a strong sense of disappointment and injustice.

it's disheartening

This alternative emphasizes the discouraging or demoralizing effect of the situation.

it's lamentable

This alternative, similar to "regrettable", expresses deep sorrow or grief.

FAQs

What does "it's unfortunate" mean?

"It's unfortunate" expresses a feeling of regret, disappointment, or sadness about a particular situation or event. It indicates that something undesirable has occurred, or that a desired outcome was not achieved.

How can I use "it's unfortunate" in a sentence?

You can use "it's unfortunate" followed by a 'that' clause specifying the regrettable event: "It's unfortunate that the meeting was cancelled." You can also use it to express sympathy: "It's unfortunate that you're feeling unwell."

What can I say instead of "it's unfortunate"?

You can use alternatives like "it's regrettable", "it's a pity", or "it's disappointing" depending on the context. The nuance changes slightly with each substitution.

Is "it's unfortunate" too informal for professional writing?

"It's unfortunate" is generally acceptable in professional writing, but consider the tone and audience. In very formal contexts, alternatives like "it's regrettable" or more detailed explanations may be more appropriate.