that's unfortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

'That's unfortunate' is correct and usable in written English.
It's an expression that can be used in a variety of situations. For example, you could say, "I heard that your flight was canceled. That's unfortunate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

highway — that's 4 m.p.g.

The New York Times

"In our study, that's 3.5 hours".

The New York Times

For index funds, that's 0.13%.

BBC

Notated, that's e4xf5.

WikiHow

For this instance, that's 21.6.

WikiHow

For you Celsius fans, that's 176°.

WikiHow

"Of course, that was 40 years ago".

The New York Times

And that was 44 years ago".

The New York Times

Less tax, that was £400 I got.

BBC

strips of your fabric that are 4in.

WikiHow

That's 27 times next year's earnings.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that's unfortunate" to express empathy and acknowledge someone's negative experience. It's a versatile phrase applicable in many contexts.

Common error

While "that's unfortunate" is generally acceptable, be mindful of the setting. In extremely formal or grave situations, consider more emphatic expressions of sympathy or concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's unfortunate" primarily functions as an interjection or a short declarative statement expressing sympathy, disappointment, or regret. It serves to acknowledge an unfavorable situation.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that's unfortunate" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express sympathy or disappointment. Although Ludwig AI confirms its general usability, the phrase is currently underrepresented in Ludwig's database. It functions as an interjection or short declarative statement, serving primarily to acknowledge negative situations with a touch of empathy. While its register is generally neutral, consider more emphatic expressions in extremely formal settings. Alternatives such as "that's a shame" or "that's too bad" can be employed to convey similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's a shame

Emphasizes a sense of disappointment or regret about a situation.

that's too bad

Expresses sympathy or commiseration for someone's misfortune.

that's regrettable

Indicates a more formal expression of sorrow or disappointment.

that's disappointing

Highlights the feeling of being let down or unsatisfied.

that's a pity

Similar to "that's a shame", expressing sorrow or regret.

how unfortunate

An inversion emphasizing the degree of misfortune.

it's a matter of regret

A formal way of saying something is regrettable.

it's a cause for concern

Focuses on the worrying aspect of a situation.

it's hardly ideal

Understates the negative impact of a situation, often with a touch of irony.

what a setback

Emphasizes the hindering effect of an event or situation.

FAQs

What does "that's unfortunate" mean?

The phrase "that's unfortunate" is an expression used to convey sympathy, disappointment, or regret about a particular situation or event.

How can I use "that's unfortunate" in a sentence?

You can use "that's unfortunate" to respond to bad news. For example, if someone tells you they lost their job, you might say, "That's unfortunate, I'm sorry to hear that."

What are some alternatives to saying "that's unfortunate"?

Alternatives include "that's too bad", "that's a shame", or "that's disappointing", depending on the context.

Is "that's unfortunate" formal or informal?

"That's unfortunate" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both informal and semi-formal situations. However, in very formal or serious contexts, a more emphatic expression may be more appropriate.