it would be unfortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be unfortunate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a certain outcome is not desirable. For example: "It would be unfortunate if the office had to close early due to bad weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Washington is also a liberal state, and "it would be unfortunate if we lose there, but not very surprising," he said, given the disparity in fund-raising.

The New York Times

"It would be unfortunate if anyone prejudged those investigations".

The New York Times - Sports

"It would be unfortunate if we gave up now".

The New York Times - Health

It would be unfortunate if new bubbles were conjured in emerging economies.

The New York Times

"It would be unfortunate if it would have to come to that".

The New York Times

It would be unfortunate if public policy were influenced by people with the biggest following.

The Guardian

He said it would be unfortunate if the row overshadowed Oliveira's victory.

The Guardian - Sport

"It would be unfortunate if that process begins before the report has even been officially released".

The New York Times

It would be unfortunate for Bangladesh and for the foreign buyers.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it would be unfortunate if this high-profile project were to be abandoned.

The Guardian

It would be unfortunate if such beliefs kept the government from heeding the pleas now coming from the Fed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it would be unfortunate" to express concern about potential negative outcomes, encouraging preventative measures or alternative actions.

Common error

While "it would be unfortunate" is acceptable, consider using a more direct and active voice construction for greater impact and clarity when appropriate. For example, instead of "It would be unfortunate if the project failed", try "The project's failure would be detrimental."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be unfortunate" serves as a modal expression, indicating a subjective assessment of a potential future event. It expresses a desire to avoid a particular outcome. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it would be unfortunate" is a versatile phrase used to express concern or mild disapproval about a potential negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. While grammatically sound and widely used, consider varying your sentence structure for greater impact, according to writing best practices. Alternatives include "it would be regrettable" and "it would be a shame". By understanding its function and exploring alternatives, you can enhance your writing and effectively convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would be regrettable

Replaces "unfortunate" with "regrettable", emphasizing the feeling of sorrow or disappointment.

it would be a pity

Uses "a pity" instead of "unfortunate", softening the tone slightly and implying a sense of mild regret.

it would be a shame

Employs "a shame" instead of "unfortunate", similar to "a pity" but potentially carrying a stronger sense of disappointment.

it would be undesirable

Substitutes "unfortunate" with "undesirable", focusing on the lack of desirability of a specific outcome.

it would be ill-advised

Replaces "unfortunate" with "ill-advised", shifting the focus to the lack of wisdom or prudence in a certain action or decision.

it would be a mistake

Uses "a mistake" instead of "unfortunate", emphasizing the potential for error and negative consequences.

it would be imprudent

Replaces "unfortunate" with "imprudent", highlighting the lack of careful consideration and potential risks involved.

it would be counterproductive

Substitutes "unfortunate" with "counterproductive", indicating that the outcome would hinder progress or achieve the opposite of the intended result.

it would be detrimental

Replaces "unfortunate" with "detrimental", emphasizing the harmful or damaging nature of the potential outcome.

it would be unwise

Uses "unwise" instead of "unfortunate", focusing on the lack of good judgement or wisdom in a certain action or decision.

FAQs

How can I use "it would be unfortunate" in a sentence?

Use "it would be unfortunate" to express concern or mild disapproval regarding a possible negative outcome. For example, "It would be unfortunate if the negotiations were to fall through."

What are some alternatives to "it would be unfortunate"?

You can use alternatives like "it would be regrettable", "it would be a pity", or "it would be a shame" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "it would be unfortunate" formal or informal?

"It would be unfortunate" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal and can be used in various contexts, including professional and academic settings.

What's the difference between "it would be unfortunate" and "it is unfortunate"?

"It would be unfortunate" expresses a hypothetical or future possibility, while "it is unfortunate" refers to a current or past situation. For example, "It would be unfortunate if we missed the deadline (future)." vs. "It is unfortunate that we missed the deadline (past)."