that unfortunately

USAGE SUMMARY

"that unfortunately" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used as a subordinating conjunction to connect two clauses, where the first clause explains the cause or reason for the second clause. For example: "I had planned to go for a picnic today, but unfortunately, it started raining heavily." In this sentence, "that unfortunately" connects the explanation (it started raining) to the reason (I couldn't go for a picnic). Other examples: - "The flight was delayed, that unfortunately led to me missing my connecting flight." - "The restaurant had great reviews, but unfortunately, the food did not live up to our expectations." - "I was really looking forward to the concert, but unfortunately, I had to cancel due to a sudden work commitment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That, unfortunately, didn't happen".

The New York Times

That, unfortunately, is no guarantee of success.

The New Yorker

That, unfortunately, is no surprise.

The Guardian - Business

But that, unfortunately, is that.

The New Yorker

That, unfortunately, isn't the point.

The Guardian

That, unfortunately, doesn't prove anything.

The New York Times

And you don't see beyond that unfortunately.

Cornell University

"And that, unfortunately, is self-defeating".

The New York Times

That, unfortunately, is the easy part.

The New York Times - Tech

That, unfortunately, is part of the problem.

The New York Times - Books

Except that, unfortunately, the encyclical reaffirms it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that unfortunately" to introduce a negative consequence or outcome that contrasts with a previous statement or expectation. It softens the blow by acknowledging the disappointment.

Common error

Avoid using "that unfortunately" multiple times in a single paragraph. This can make your writing sound repetitive and overly negative. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing sentences to convey the same meaning more subtly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that unfortunately" functions as an adverbial phrase. Ludwig indicates it connects clauses, introducing a negative consequence or outcome. It softens disappointments by acknowledging them, as evident in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

11%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that unfortunately" serves as an adverbial phrase used to introduce disappointing or undesirable outcomes. As Ludwig underlines, the phrase connects clauses and signals a softening of negative news by acknowledging the misfortune. While grammatically correct and very common in neutral registers such as news media, alternative phrases may be preferable in formal writing. Overuse in close proximity should be avoided, and understanding context is essential for choosing the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that regrettably

Replaces "unfortunately" with a more formal synonym expressing regret.

that sadly

Substitutes "unfortunately" with a simpler, more direct expression of sadness.

that disappointingly

Replaces "unfortunately" emphasizing the disappointment caused by the situation.

that lamentably

Uses a more literary and sorrowful term instead of "unfortunately".

that regrettably so

Adds "so" for emphasis, highlighting the unfortunate nature of the preceding statement.

that tragically

Employs "tragically" to convey a more severe sense of misfortune.

that unhappily

A more straightforward synonym for "unfortunately" focusing on the lack of happiness.

that woefully

Replaces "unfortunately" with a stronger word that emphasizes the negative aspect.

that unluckily

Shifts the focus to bad luck rather than general misfortune.

that alas

Uses an interjection to express sorrow or regret, offering a more dramatic effect.

FAQs

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

Use "that unfortunately" to introduce a disappointing or unwanted outcome. For example, "I was hoping to attend the conference, but "that unfortunately" clashes with another commitment."

What phrases are similar to "that unfortunately"?

Alternatives to "that unfortunately" include "that regrettably", "that sadly", or "that disappointingly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it always necessary to use "that unfortunately"?

No, it's not always necessary. You can often convey the same meaning with simpler phrasing. For example, instead of saying "The project was delayed, that unfortunately caused some issues", you could say "The project was delayed, which caused some issues."

Can "that unfortunately" be used in formal writing?

While "that unfortunately" is grammatically correct, it might be perceived as less formal in some contexts. In very formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "that regrettably" or rephrasing the sentence to maintain a more objective tone.