that was unfortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'that was unfortunate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express regret or sympathy about something that has happened. Example: I'm sorry to hear that your vacation had to be cancelled – that was unfortunate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

"It's something that was unfortunate, like I said, and they went out and took advantage of it," Howard said.

The New York Times - Sports

Showed great skill with an exuberant back-heel in the 25th minute that was unfortunate not to lead to something.

The Guardian - Sport

Violence in the home was regarded as something that was unfortunate but private, and arrests were discouraged in favor of mediation.

The New Yorker

After one such battle, he wrote proudly in his diary that he had stormed "the ramparts of every piece that was unfortunate enough to get in my way".

The New Yorker

And, O.K., that was unfortunate, so I tried to leave, but they were standing there in the doorway, blocking me, like, Duh, we do not know which way to turn, we are stunned.

The New Yorker

"Dianne said something that was unfortunate, but they're both strongly principled women," said Mark Buell, a top Democratic fund-raiser who was the finance chairman of Ms. Harris's campaign.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"And that's unfortunate".

The New York Times - Sports

And that is unfortunate.

The New Yorker

That is unfortunate.

The Economist

I think that's unfortunate".

The New Yorker

"Well, that's unfortunate".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was unfortunate" to express empathy or mild regret, particularly when acknowledging an undesirable situation or outcome. It's suitable for scenarios where a stronger expression of sorrow isn't necessary.

Common error

While "that was unfortunate" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional communications. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "that was regrettable" or "that was a setback" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was unfortunate" functions primarily as an expression of mild regret or disappointment. It serves to acknowledge an undesirable situation or outcome without necessarily implying strong sorrow or grief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was unfortunate" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express mild regret or sympathy, as verified by Ludwig AI. It frequently appears in news and media contexts, offering a neutral tone to acknowledge undesirable situations. While effective, overuse in formal settings should be avoided, opting for alternatives like "that was regrettable". Remember that "that was unfortunate" is suitable for minor setbacks, reserving stronger expressions for more serious matters. Always consider the context to choose the most appropriate phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was regrettable

Emphasizes the act or situation warrants regret.

that was a pity

Highlights the feeling of sorrow or disappointment.

that was a shame

Similar to 'a pity', expressing mild disappointment.

that was too bad

An informal expression of sympathy or disappointment.

it's unfortunate that happened

Shifts the sentence structure to emphasize the event itself.

that was ill-fated

Suggests the event was destined to have a bad outcome.

that was lamentable

Highlights the sorrowful or mournful aspect of the situation.

that was disheartening

Focuses on the loss of morale or enthusiasm.

that was a blow

Highlights the negative impact or setback caused.

that was a setback

Implies a temporary delay or obstacle in progress.

FAQs

What's a more formal alternative to "that was unfortunate"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "that was regrettable", "that was a setback", or "that was a disappointment".

How does "that was unfortunate" differ from "that was tragic"?

"That was unfortunate" expresses mild disappointment or regret, while "that was tragic" conveys a much deeper sense of sorrow and is reserved for significantly more serious or devastating events.

Is it correct to use "that is unfortunate" instead of "that was unfortunate"?

Yes, "that is unfortunate" is grammatically correct. "That was unfortunate" refers to something that happened in the past, while "that is unfortunate" refers to something happening in the present.

When should I use "that was unfortunate" in a conversation?

Use "that was unfortunate" when you want to express sympathy or acknowledge a negative event without being overly dramatic. It's suitable when someone shares news of a minor setback or disappointment.