this is unfortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is unfortunate" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in a variety of situations to express that something is regretful or disappointing. For example: It is unfortunate that the store had to close its doors after 30 years in business.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

All of this is unfortunate.

The New York Times - Sports

And this is unfortunate.

The Guardian

This is unfortunate and factually misleading.

The Economist

Taxonomically speaking, this is unfortunate.

The New Yorker

From a pedagogical standpoint, this is unfortunate.

University of California, Berkeley

This is unfortunate, for two reasons.

The Washington Post

The effect of all this is unfortunate.

The New York Times

This is unfortunate on two counts.

The Washington Post

All this is unfortunate but not surprising.

The New York Times

My own feeling is that this is unfortunate".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As a parry goes, this was unfortunate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is unfortunate" to express disappointment or regret in a situation where a more forceful criticism isn't appropriate. It's a diplomatic way to acknowledge a negative outcome.

Common error

While useful, avoid relying on "this is unfortunate" too often. Vary your language with stronger or more specific expressions of disappointment to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

This is unfortunate functions as an evaluative statement, expressing disappointment or regret about a particular situation or event. It often serves to soften criticism or acknowledge a negative outcome diplomatically, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

22%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is unfortunate" is a versatile phrase used to express regret or disappointment in a polite and diplomatic manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. While versatile, it's advisable to vary your language and prevent overuse, or it risks weakening the impact of your expressions. Alternatives such as "it's a pity" or "that's regrettable" can provide nuanced replacements. This phrase serves as a valuable tool for acknowledging negative situations without being overly critical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's a pity

Emphasizes the feeling of sorrow or regret about a situation.

that's regrettable

Highlights the feeling that something is worthy of regret.

it's disappointing

Focuses on the failure to meet expectations.

that's a shame

Expresses a sense of mild disappointment or sadness.

it's a lost cause

Indicates that something cannot be salvaged or improved.

it's a matter of regret

Highlights that an action or situation is considered regrettable.

it's a source of disappointment

Points out that something is causing disappointment.

that's too bad

Offers a simple expression of sympathy or disappointment.

it's a blow

Highlights the negative impact or setback caused by something.

it's a setback

Indicates a temporary delay or reversal in progress.

FAQs

How can I use "this is unfortunate" in a sentence?

You can use "this is unfortunate" to express disappointment or regret about a situation. For example, "This is unfortunate, as it will delay the project."

What can I say instead of "this is unfortunate"?

You can use alternatives like "it's a pity", "that's regrettable", or "it's disappointing" depending on the context.

Is "this is unfortunate" formal or informal?

The phrase "this is unfortunate" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "this is unfortunate" and "this is unacceptable"?

"This is unfortunate" expresses disappointment or regret, while "this is unacceptable" conveys strong disapproval and implies that something should not be tolerated.