less unfortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less unfortunate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is in a better situation compared to others who are more unfortunate. Example: "While many families are struggling, we are less unfortunate and have enough resources to get by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Cait Reilly was no less unfortunate.

The Guardian - Opinion

The papers openly ridicule the poor and less unfortunate.

The Guardian - Opinion

If his injury was dreadful luck, its timing — November 1994 — was less unfortunate.

The New York Times - Sports

Although perhaps the simple truth is that the choices available to them at the time — to marry or not; to have too many children or too few — were all, more or less, unfortunate.

The New Yorker

As the social historian Lawrence Stone noted, this was a marked departure from the Catholic ideal of chastity, which considered earthly marriage a more or less unfortunate necessity meant to accommodate human weakness; "It is better to marry than to burn," St. Paul had said, but he made it sound like a close call.

The New Yorker

I even signed up to train in it with more or less unfortunate results.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

(They might have commissioned John Galliano for a spectacular wrap ala Christo had the timing been a tad less… unfortunate. Quite the reminder of Jack Smith's proclamation: "Fashion is an ugly business").. Left: BCBG.

Vice

(They might have commissioned John Galliano for a spectacular wrap à la Christo had the timing been a tad less… unfortunate. Quite the reminder of Jack Smith's proclamation: "Fashion is an ugly business").. Left: BCBG.

Vice

Bob Marley's estate may be set to benefit greatly from Marley Natural: but paradoxically, the freeing up of the herb laws that will benefit Marley Natural should lead to less abuse of unfortunate semi-innocents.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in "Lessons in Disaster," Gordon Goldstein's highly unusual book, Bundy emerges as the most interesting figure in the Vietnam tragedy — less for his unfortunate part in prosecuting the war than for his agonized search 30 years later to understand himself.

The New York Times - Books

A less familiar and unfortunate side effect of solar is that it is "intermittent".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing groups, use "less unfortunate" to highlight a relative difference in negative circumstances rather than a direct positive attribute. For instance, "While both groups face challenges, this community is less unfortunate than the other."

Common error

Avoid using "less unfortunate" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound euphemistic or indirect. Opt for stronger, more direct language like "more fortunate" or "better off" to convey your meaning with greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less unfortunate" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state of being not as unfortunate as another. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less unfortunate" is a grammatically sound comparative adjective phrase used to describe a situation or group that experiences fewer hardships compared to others. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, its register is generally neutral. When writing, it's advisable to use "less unfortunate" to highlight relative differences in negative circumstances and to consider stronger alternatives like "more fortunate" or "better off" in formal writing for enhanced clarity. Its meaning is close to alternatives such as "more fortunate" or "better off".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more fortunate

Replaces 'less' with 'more', shifting the focus to the positive aspect of being fortunate.

better off

Indicates an improved state of well-being or circumstances, differing slightly in connotation.

in a better situation

Focuses on the improved circumstances one finds themselves in.

not as badly affected

Highlights a reduced degree of negative impact.

not so unlucky

Emphasizes a reduction in bad luck or misfortune.

somewhat luckier

Suggests a degree of increased luck.

slightly more blessed

Implies a small increase in divine favor or good fortune.

in less dire straits

Indicates a less desperate or difficult situation.

experiencing fewer hardships

Focuses on the reduced number or intensity of difficulties faced.

not as disadvantaged

Highlights a reduced level of disadvantage or inequality.

FAQs

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

You can use "less unfortunate" to describe a situation or group that is experiencing fewer hardships compared to others. For example, "Although they faced challenges, they were "less unfortunate" than those who lost everything."

What's a more positive alternative to "less unfortunate"?

Instead of focusing on the negative, you could use phrases like "more fortunate" or "better off" to highlight the positive aspects of a situation.

Is it appropriate to use "less unfortunate" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "less unfortunate" can sometimes sound indirect. In formal writing, consider using more direct alternatives like "more fortunate" or describing the specific advantages a group possesses.

What's the difference between "less unfortunate" and "unfortunate"?

"Unfortunate" describes a generally negative situation. "Less unfortunate" implies a comparison, suggesting that while the situation may still be negative, it is not as severe as another situation. In other words, it is an implication of "fortunate" compared to something else.