quite unfortunately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite unfortunately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express regret or disappointment about a situation. Example: "Quite unfortunately, the event had to be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

(A trip to DBGB, which we thought would strike the right balance, ended, quite unfortunately, in a nearby pizzeria).

The New York Times - Food

The authors claim state-of-the-art performance on the datasets they've used, though quite unfortunately they have not tried to apply their model to a chemical dataset.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Quite unfortunately I am not sure that it would make a difference if they did.

Huffington Post

Also quite unfortunately, needing to go to the toilet is a pretty non-negotiable situation.

Vice

This system, quite unfortunately, empowers racists to carry on, knowing that little, if anything will happen to them.

Huffington Post

Quite unfortunately the recent developments the Arab World provide him with the opportunity to say, "I told you so".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The ants are quite expendable, unfortunately.

The Guardian - Tech

It seems we only mention Google Calendar here on TechCrunch anymore when things inevitably go wrong – which means we get to cover the cloud-based calendaring service quite often, unfortunately.

TechCrunch

Which is unfortunately quite likely.

The Guardian - Books

"The arithmetic is, unfortunately, quite clear," Mr. Bernanke said.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, quite a few women fall into that category.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite unfortunately" to express disappointment or mild regret, especially when the situation is more complex than a simple "unfortunately" would convey.

Common error

Avoid using "quite unfortunately" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your tone sound overly dramatic or insincere. Consider varying your phrasing with simpler alternatives like "unfortunately" or more specific expressions of disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite unfortunately" functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing the speaker or writer's attitude toward the statement. It indicates disappointment or regret about a situation. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is usable and expresses regret.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite unfortunately" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase employed to convey a sense of disappointment or mild regret. Ludwig AI confirms this, and examples show the phrase being utilized in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While "unfortunately" is more frequent, adding "quite" increases formality and emphasis. When writing, be mindful of overusing the expression. Similar alternatives include "regrettably" and "sadly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regrettably

Single word alternative to express regret.

sadly

Expresses sorrow or disappointment, simpler than the original.

alas

An interjection expressing grief or regret, more dramatic.

it is regrettable that

More formal and explicitly states regret.

it's a pity that

Colloquial way to express disappointment.

it is a matter of regret

Emphasizes the feeling of regret about a situation.

to my dismay

Highlights personal disappointment.

unluckily

Focuses on the lack of good fortune.

by bad luck

Attributes the situation to chance.

it was an ill-fated

Highlights a doomed attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "quite unfortunately" in a sentence?

"Quite unfortunately" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to express disappointment about something. For example, "Quite unfortunately, the event had to be cancelled."

What phrases are similar to "quite unfortunately"?

Alternatives include "regrettably", "sadly", or "it is regrettable that", which convey similar sentiments of disappointment or regret.

Is it better to say "quite unfortunately" or just "unfortunately"?

The choice depends on the context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey. "Quite unfortunately" adds a bit more emphasis to the feeling of regret or disappointment compared to simply using "unfortunately".

Can "quite unfortunately" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "quite unfortunately" is appropriate for formal writing, although it might be slightly less common than "unfortunately" alone. Consider the overall tone and audience of your writing when deciding whether to include the "quite".