unfortunate decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"unfortunate decision" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a decision that was made that had unfortunate or negative consequences. For example, "The government made an unfortunate decision to shut down the entire industry, leaving thousands of people unemployed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then, in an unfortunate decision, Sediri began to enjoy himself.

The Washington Post

The Borough President's unfortunate decision also gives new fuel to Mr. Spitzer's campaign.

The New York Times

That was a fortunate decision or an unfortunate decision, depending on how you look at it.

The New York Times - Arts

The administration should rethink its policies, and the Supreme Court should reverse yesterday's unfortunate decision.

The New York Times

Two of the terraces became green roofs and Shigematsu admits "that was an unfortunate decision".

The Guardian - Arts

Unfortunate decision from a good referee leads to Neymar converting, barely, from the spot.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was an unfortunate decision," Coelho said of the referee's awarding of the penalty kick.

The New York Times - Sports

Insisting that expansion must go ahead, IoD spokesman Alistair Tebbit said: "This is a very unfortunate decision.

Independent

"It's at the very least an unfortunate decision that will embolden the regime and prolong the suffering," he said.

The New York Times

Now, as then, the unfortunate decision of the Chief Rabbinate brings an unnecessary cleavage in Jewish life.

The New York Times

Grant Hill called the firing a tough, unfortunate decision for a coach who did the best job he could".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unfortunate decision", clearly articulate the negative consequences or impacts resulting from the decision to provide context and strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "unfortunate decision" as a mere cliché. Always provide specific reasons and evidence to support why the decision is considered unfortunate, adding depth and credibility to your analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunate decision" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "unfortunate" modifies the noun "decision". It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a specific choice that had negative consequences. Ludwig examples showcase its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unfortunate decision" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a choice that has resulted in negative outcomes. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's widely used across various contexts, including news, business, and even scientific discussions. While alternatives like "regrettable choice" or "ill-advised action" exist, "unfortunate decision" maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse communication needs. Remember to provide context when using this phrase to clearly articulate the negative impacts of the decision you're describing, avoiding overuse without proper justification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regrettable choice

Emphasizes the feeling of regret associated with the decision.

ill-advised action

Highlights the lack of wisdom or foresight in the decision.

poor judgment call

Focuses on the faulty assessment or evaluation that led to the decision.

mistaken course of action

Underlines the incorrect or erroneous nature of the path chosen.

unwise determination

Stresses the lack of prudence or sagacity in the decision-making process.

unhappy resolution

Focuses on the negative outcome or consequences of the decision.

untoward determination

Implies that the decision was inappropriate or unsuitable for the situation.

ill-fated decree

Suggests that the decision was destined to have negative consequences.

lamentable determination

Emphasizes the sorrow or regret associated with the decision and its results.

unlucky choice

Highlights the unfortunate or chance element that contributed to the negative outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "unfortunate decision" to describe a choice that led to negative consequences. For example, "The company's "unfortunate decision" to cut funding resulted in significant project delays."

What are some alternatives to "unfortunate decision"?

Alternatives include "regrettable choice", "ill-advised action", or "poor judgment call", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very unfortunate decision"?

While not grammatically incorrect, adding "very" may be redundant. The word "unfortunate" already implies a negative outcome. Consider using a stronger alternative like "disastrous choice" if you want to emphasize the severity.

What's the difference between "unfortunate decision" and "bad decision"?

"Bad decision" is a more general term, while "unfortunate decision" suggests that the consequences were particularly negative or regrettable. The "unfortunate decision" implies a sense of sorrow or disappointment about the outcome.