such a misfortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "such a misfortune" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express sympathy or regret about an unfortunate event or situation. Example: "Losing the championship game was such a misfortune for the team, who had worked so hard all season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"That's a promise I'm making today to this community, which has undergone such a misfortune".

The Guardian

Taking advantage of such a misfortune is cycling's equivalent of eating peas with a knife but Contador won the race on the Champs Elysées by exactly the 39 seconds he gained thanks to Schleck's chain pain.

The Guardian - Sport

If life is hard and often destructive, the question Sophocles asks is not how did this come to be or why did such a misfortune have to happen but rather, given the circumstances, how must one conduct oneself, how should one act, and what must one do.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While all family members are forced to bear the brunt of such a misfortune, the more vulnerable members in the equation, particularly women and children, tend to take on the burden disproportionately [ 19].

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Duke welcomed the French commander – "I am very sorry that such a cruel misfortune should have fallen upon a soldier for whom I have the highest regard".

Wikipedia

To such a depth of misfortune have we fallen that, while the Medes' success had been our ruin, Thebans now supplant us in your once fond regards; and we have been subjected to two dangers, the greatest of any- that of dying of starvation then, if we had not surrendered our town, and now of being tried for our lives.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Some communities in remote areas believe that they will suffer a misfortune such as a natural disaster unless menstruating women are secluded.

BBC

For a poet to lose such a talent would have been a misfortune.

The New York Times - Books

What also came out such tragic misfortune was the beginning of a dialogue on a topic that has been far too ignored in the Black community -- mental illness.

Huffington Post

The stars never align for them, and the cards always seem to fall in such a fashion promoting only of their misfortune.

HuffPost

If you have the misfortune of dealing with such a slug, work carefully with the personnel department.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such a misfortune" to express sympathy or empathy when acknowledging someone's difficult situation. It adds a touch of formality and sincerity to your response.

Common error

Avoid using "such a misfortune" in very casual conversations. It can sound overly dramatic or insincere in informal settings. Consider using simpler phrases like "that's too bad" or "that's a shame" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a misfortune" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object to express sympathy or acknowledgement of an unfortunate event. Ludwig AI highlights this with examples showing its use in describing various adverse situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "such a misfortune" is a noun phrase used to express sympathy or acknowledge an unfortunate event. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and usability across different contexts, though it is relatively rare in occurrence. The phrase is best suited for neutral to formal settings, conveying empathy in situations ranging from personal losses to broader societal challenges. While grammatically correct, it is important to consider the context and audience to ensure the phrase's formality aligns with the intended tone. Alternatives like "a stroke of bad luck" or "an unfortunate event" may be more appropriate in informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a stroke of bad luck

Focuses specifically on the element of chance and unexpected negative outcomes.

a tragic event

Highlights the element of sadness, loss, or suffering in the situation.

a piece of bad luck

Similar to "a stroke of bad luck" but implies a smaller scale or impact.

an unfortunate event

A more neutral and general way to describe something negative that happened.

a regrettable occurrence

Focuses on the feeling of sorrow or disappointment associated with the event.

an adverse circumstance

Highlights the challenging or difficult conditions resulting from the event.

an ill-fated incident

Highlights the element of destiny or being doomed to a negative outcome.

a calamitous situation

Emphasizes the disastrous or devastating nature of the circumstances.

a tough break

An informal way to refer to a negative turn of events, often implying unfairness.

a difficult situation

A more general way to refer to any set of circumstances that presents challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "such a misfortune" in a sentence?

You can use "such a misfortune" to express sympathy or regret about an unfortunate event. For instance, "Losing your job is "such a misfortune", but I'm sure you'll find something better soon."

What are some alternatives to "such a misfortune"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a tragedy", "a disappointment", or "bad luck", depending on the context and the severity of the situation.

Is "such a misfortune" formal or informal?

"Such a misfortune" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, phrases like "that's too bad" or "that's a shame" might be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "such a misfortune"?

It's appropriate to use "such a misfortune" when you want to express sincere sympathy or regret in a relatively formal setting or when discussing a serious or unfortunate event.