unfortunate break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfortunate break" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected and negative event or situation that interrupts progress or causes difficulty. Example: "The team faced an unfortunate break when their lead developer had to take an unexpected leave of absence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It was an unfortunate break.

The New York Times - Sports

And I had a tee shot slightly right and I got an unfortunate break.

The New York Times

His unfortunate break was Dawson's lucky one, the Lions captain James Vince suggesting to Flower his revived Hampshire colleague could step up, having known him since he was a 13-year-old team-mate at Chippenham.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite this unfortunate break, we discovered we were among the lucky ones.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It is unfortunate he broke his foot but we expect him back.

The New York Times

When the unfortunate news broke, he was one of the 72 emails that I had come in.

BBC

The vote is particularly unfortunate when you break the numbers down.

Huffington Post

It was just unfortunate that he broke a window – he could just as easily have damaged a wall and no one would have been any the wiser.

Independent

Neither seems a good reason for asking the taxpayer to cough up.What about the unfortunate example that breaking a contract, or imposing a tax would set?

The Economist

Before making speeches, she shook with terror; in the face of unsettling news, she had the unfortunate habit of breaking down in tears.

The New Yorker

She was 23 in a sport that had come to treat maturity as an impediment, where the arrival of breasts and hips was an occurrence as unfortunate as a broken ankle.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unfortunate break" when you want to express sympathy or mild disappointment about an unexpected setback. For example, instead of simply stating a project was delayed, you could say it suffered an "unfortunate break" due to unforeseen circumstances.

Common error

While "unfortunate break" is acceptable in many situations, avoid it in highly formal or critical business communications where stronger, more precise language like "critical failure" or "significant disruption" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunate break" functions as a noun phrase where "unfortunate" modifies "break", indicating a negative or undesirable interruption. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing unexpected events that hinder progress or cause difficulty, such as in sports or personal situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfortunate break" is a valid phrase in English, categorized as an adjective modifying a noun, used to describe an undesirable interruption or setback. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While relatively rare, its use is appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news and media, expressing mild disappointment or sympathy. For more formal situations, stronger terms might be preferred. Top sources include The New York Times and The Guardian. Consider alternatives like "unlucky setback" or "regrettable interruption" to tailor the message to your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlucky setback

Directly replaces "break" with a synonym, highlighting the hindrance.

regrettable interruption

Focuses on the interruption aspect of the event, expressing regret.

bad stroke of luck

Emphasizes the element of chance and misfortune in the situation.

untimely disruption

Highlights the unexpected and poorly timed nature of the event.

tough setback

A more casual synonym emphasizing the difficulty caused by the break.

ill-fated pause

Implies a more dramatic and negative consequence of the interruption.

unhappy twist

Highlights the unexpected and unpleasant turn of events.

unforeseen difficulty

Draws attention to the unanticipated nature of the problem.

adverse incident

Replaces the casual term "break" with a more formal term "incident" to describe an unfavourable event.

unfavorable episode

Replaces both words in the original phrase to express a negative event.

FAQs

How can I use "unfortunate break" in a sentence?

You can use "unfortunate break" to describe an unexpected and negative event. For example: "The project experienced an "unfortunate break" when the main investor pulled out."

What are some alternatives to "unfortunate break"?

You can use alternatives such as "unlucky setback", "regrettable interruption", or "bad stroke of luck depending on the context.

Is "unfortunate break" formal or informal?

"Unfortunate break" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's essential to consider the audience and the severity of the situation. In very formal contexts, a more precise term might be preferable.

What's the difference between "unfortunate break" and "unexpected delay"?

"Unfortunate break" often implies a more negative or impactful event than a simple "unexpected delay". A break suggests a more significant interruption, while a delay might be a minor setback.