misfortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "misfortune" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time to refer to bad luck. For example, "The family suffered a great misfortune when their house burned down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In March 1963 I had the misfortune to find myself standing in the dock in the Old Bailey.

The Guardian

My funds should not be frozen, as they are not savings that have been accruing interest," said Connor, whose misfortune was that the money hit her account two hours before the close of business on 15 March.

The Guardian

It's that they have spent their entire careers in the kind of politics that washes its hands if ever it has the misfortune of touching a voter.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the individual profits to be made from the public's misfortune in health are enormous.

The Guardian

A rat-infested prison cell awaits Liz Hurley Elsewhere, Lost in Showbiz is distraught at the misfortune that continues to dog cinema's Elizabeth Hurley, whose only crimes are to have staged slightly vulgar weddings in two countries, flogged the pictures to Hello!, continued to dress her child in the manner favoured by young royals circa 1958 and been almost elaborately bad in Bedazzled.

The Guardian

Born in July 1971 in Camposampiero, a small town in the province of Padova, Dino had the misfortune to be born in the same generation as Roberto; only four years separate the pair.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact such is the humanising effect of a common misfortune, they almost felt drawn to him".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There was also misfortune for Carlos Sainz, who will start from the pit lane for failing to stop to have his car weighed during Q1.

The Guardian - Sport

In Juchitán, if you had the misfortune not to be born a woman, the next best thing was to behave like one.

The Guardian - Travel

The US retains the right to snoop on us in any way it pleases – and of course to spy on any US citizen who has the misfortune to exchange a phone call or an email message with us.

The Guardian - Tech

It was his misfortune to be a member of Labour's lost generation whose years were spent in opposition.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "misfortune" to describe significant negative events or periods of bad luck. Consider stronger alternatives like "calamity" or "disaster" for events with severe consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "misfortune" for trivial inconveniences. Reserve it for events that have a genuine negative impact. Using it too often can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "misfortune" is as a noun, referring to an instance of bad luck or an undesirable event. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the term and is evident in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "misfortune" is a commonly used noun that describes bad luck or an undesirable event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When using "misfortune", remember that overuse in minor situations can dilute its impact. Consider alternatives like "bad luck", "adversity", or "setback" to tailor your language to the specific context and severity of the event. Keep in mind that "tragedy" implies a more serious and devastating event than "misfortune".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad luck

Emphasizes the element of chance or fate in the negative event.

ill luck

A more formal or archaic way of saying "bad luck".

stroke of bad luck

Highlights the sudden or unexpected nature of the misfortune.

adversity

Focuses on the challenging or difficult nature of the situation.

calamity

Highlights the disastrous or devastating nature of the event.

hardship

Points to the difficult conditions or suffering caused by the event.

unfortunate event

A general term for something negative that has occurred.

setback

Indicates a temporary delay or reversal in progress.

tribulation

Suggests a period of great trouble or suffering.

unfavorable circumstance

A more neutral way to describe a negative situation.

FAQs

How can I use "misfortune" in a sentence?

"Misfortune" is typically used as a noun to describe an event or situation characterized by bad luck or adversity. For example, "The company suffered a series of misfortunes that led to its bankruptcy."

What are some alternatives to "misfortune"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "bad luck", "adversity", "calamity", or "setback".

Is it correct to say "a misfortune happened"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, but more commonly, you might say "a misfortune occurred" or "someone experienced a misfortune". Using "happened" is less formal.

What is the difference between "misfortune" and "tragedy"?

"Misfortune" generally refers to bad luck or an unfortunate event, while "tragedy" implies a more serious and devastating event, often involving loss of life or significant suffering.