it does not work unfortunately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it does not work unfortunately" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to express disappointment or frustration when something is not functioning properly or as expected. Example: I tried to turn on my laptop, but it does not work unfortunately. I really needed it for my presentation today.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Seal back the main flaps with glue not a GLUE-STICK I've tried it and it does not work unfortunately, try double sided tape.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It didn't work, unfortunately.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, it does not work well for a 9. Since a 3 = − a 2, a 5 = − a 4 and a 7 = − a 6.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

The experiment is in principle a good one, but unfortunately it does not work.

eLife

Unfortunately, it doesn't work.

The New York Times - Tech

Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Unfortunately, it doesn't work out in practice.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, it doesn't work very well, even after you have trained it by writing out the alphabet (plus numbers and symbols) twice on a special form.

The New York Times - Tech

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.

BBC

Unfortunately it doesn't work like that, because memories need to be consolidated within 24 hours of being formed.

BBC

The New York Times even produced a Silverlight offline Reader for the Mac but unfortunately it doesn't work on Intel Macs or apparently Firefox or Safari.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it does not work unfortunately", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. It's most effective when the reason for failure is either known or will be explained subsequently.

Common error

Avoid using "unfortunately" repeatedly within a short span, as it can make your writing sound overly negative. Try to vary your phrasing, perhaps using synonyms like "regrettably" or restructuring the sentence to emphasize the outcome rather than the disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it does not work unfortunately" functions as a declarative statement expressing that something is not functioning correctly or achieving the intended result. As Ludwig AI indicates, it also adds an element of disappointment or regret to the statement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it does not work unfortunately" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the failure of something while also conveying disappointment. Ludwig AI indicates that it's appropriate in various contexts, with a slightly informal to neutral register. While the phrase is clear, it's advisable to ensure the context provides sufficient information about the reason for the failure. Overuse of "unfortunately" should be avoided to maintain a balanced and natural tone in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's unfortunately ineffective

Replaces "does not work" with "ineffective" for a slightly more formal tone.

sadly, it isn't effective

Uses "sadly" for emphasis and "isn't effective" as an alternative to "does not work".

it didn't function as expected, regrettably

Clarifies that it didn't work as intended by using "didn't function as expected".

it failed to achieve the desired result, unfortunately

Formal and precise, specifying failure in terms of results.

it regrettably failed

Emphasizes the failure with "regrettably" and uses the verb "failed" directly.

it was unsuccessful, regrettably

Replaces "didn't work" with "unsuccessful" for a slightly more formal and descriptive tone.

it proved unworkable, alas

Emphasizes that something was not practical with "unworkable" and the interjection "alas".

it didn't pan out, sadly

Uses the idiom "didn't pan out" to indicate failure, keeping "sadly".

it's a failure, regrettably

Short, emphatic statement using "failure" to describe the situation.

it was a futile effort, alas

Emphasizes the wasted effort with "futile" and the interjection "alas".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it does not work unfortunately" to sound more formal?

You can use alternatives such as "it is regrettably ineffective" or "it failed to achieve the desired result" for a more formal tone.

What are some less formal ways to say "it does not work unfortunately"?

Less formal options include "it didn't pan out sadly" or simply "it didn't work".

When is it appropriate to use "it does not work unfortunately" in writing?

This phrase is suitable when you want to express both the failure of something and your disappointment about it. It's appropriate in contexts ranging from informal to professional communications, depending on the audience and the specific situation.

What's the difference between "it does not work unfortunately" and "it doesn't work"?

The addition of "unfortunately" adds an element of regret or disappointment to the statement. While "it doesn't work" simply states a fact, "it does not work unfortunately" conveys a negative sentiment about the situation.