this was unfortunately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was unfortunately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express regret or disappointment about a situation or event that has occurred. Example: "This was unfortunately the last time we could meet before the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

This was unfortunately not an isolated incident, and is unlikely to have been a spontaneous outburst.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was unfortunately at a time when the steel industry came under enormous pressure, and nearly half of all U.S. steel companies went into bankruptcy.

The New York Times

One of the simplest, and none the worse for that, was wording along the lines of 'Breeze, a stiff one', which I myself would have been perfectly happy to settle for, but this was unfortunately just too popular for special mention in the lists.

The Guardian

For many of the scripts, this was unfortunately not the case.

Crime Science

This was unfortunately just an effort done by various trolls... .. 2. Were reports of a gunman outside the Royal Oldham Hospital true?

BBC

The healthy children (group one) were asked about any change in their health and functional status before presented to the re-test situation but this was unfortunately not possible to evaluate for the children in group two.

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

This is unfortunately over".

The New York Times

This is unfortunately the case.

The New York Times

This is unfortunately what happens".

The Guardian

This is, unfortunately, an unrealistic request.

Independent

RivaldoRules: This is, unfortunately, their just desserts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this was unfortunately" to introduce an explanation of why something didn't go as planned, providing context and softening the impact of negative news.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "this was unfortunately", as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was unfortunately" functions as a transitional phrase used to introduce information that is disappointing or contrary to expectations. It typically precedes an explanation or a statement of fact. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"This was unfortunately" serves as a transitional phrase to introduce disappointing news or express regret. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable, fitting into neutral register applicable across various contexts, including News & Media, Science and Academia. While relatively infrequent, its purpose is clear: to soften the impact of negative information and manage reader expectations. Remember to vary your sentence structure to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's unfortunate that this happened

Replaces "was" with "is" and modifies the structure for a more straightforward statement.

it is disappointing that this occurred

Uses "disappointing" as a synonym for "unfortunate", maintaining a similar level of formality.

it was regrettable that this occurred

Replaces "unfortunately" with a more formal "regrettable" and restructures the sentence for emphasis.

regrettably, this was so

Similar to "sadly", but with a slightly more formal and emphatic tone using "regrettably".

sadly, this happened

Simplifies the phrasing and uses "sadly" for a more direct expression of sorrow.

it's a shame this occurred

Employs "it's a shame" to express a sense of regret or disappointment.

it's a pity this took place

Employs "it's a pity" to convey a sense of disappointment.

this is a matter of regret

Adopts a more formal tone, focusing on the feeling of regret associated with the event.

to my dismay, this happened

Adds a personal element of dismay or shock to the statement.

alas, this was the case

Uses "alas" for a more dramatic and somewhat old-fashioned expression of sorrow.

FAQs

How can I use "this was unfortunately" in a sentence?

Use "this was unfortunately" to introduce a situation that didn't go as planned or to express disappointment, like "This was unfortunately the only option available at the time".

What phrases are similar to "this was unfortunately"?

Alternatives include "it is unfortunate", "sadly this happened", or "regrettably this occurred" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "this is unfortunately" instead of "this was unfortunately"?

The choice between "this is unfortunately" and "this was unfortunately" depends on the tense of the sentence. Use "this was" for past events and "this is" for current situations. For example, "This is unfortunately the current situation".

What is the difference between "this was unfortunately" and ""it is unfortunate""?

"This was unfortunately" is more directly tied to a specific past event, while ""it is unfortunate"" is a more general statement of regret or disappointment about something, whether past, present, or future.