unfortunate ending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfortunate ending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a conclusion or outcome that is disappointing or regrettable in a story, event, or situation. Example: "The movie had a captivating plot, but the unfortunate ending left many viewers feeling unsatisfied."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I recognise it is an unfortunate ending from their point of view, but these things can happen".

The Guardian

The judge praised counsel, the defendants and their families, adding: "It is an unfortunate ending from their point of view, but these things do happen".

Independent

Victor Maruri, Alex's father, mourned "a magic season with such an unfortunate ending".

The New York Times

It was an unfortunate ending for the career of a resourceful if erratic director whose impact might have been greater had he not been blacklisted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To avoid this unfortunate ending, West would have had to shift to the heart ten or queen at Trick 7. Then West could have guarded diamonds, while East's heart jack would have kept that suit under control.

The New York Times

Despite the unfortunate ending to the contest, cooler heads prevailed and the mood quickly changed once the final buzzer went off.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

His unfortunate end got him the attention.

The New York Times

And an unfortunate end to brave Thorbjorn Olesen's round.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Manchester's illness seems to mean an unfortunate end to an extraordinary literary career.

The New York Times - Books

In the film, someone comes to an unfortunate end while masturbating.

The Guardian - Film

There was, and is, no mystery attached to Emily Coombes's unfortunate end.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or stories, use "unfortunate ending" to convey a sense of disappointment or sadness about how things turned out, but without necessarily implying tragedy. For more impactful scenarios, consider "tragic conclusion".

Common error

While "unfortunate ending" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and nuanced alternatives like "regrettable outcome" or "undesirable result" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunate ending" functions as a noun phrase, where "unfortunate" modifies the noun "ending". Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts. It typically describes a negative or undesirable conclusion to a situation, event, or story.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unfortunate ending" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a disappointing or undesirable conclusion. According to Ludwig AI, its use is generally correct. While "unfortunate ending" is suitable for many contexts, it's essential to consider the specific tone and formality required, opting for alternatives like "regrettable outcome" in more formal settings. When using this phrase, consider whether the term is the right intensity or whether a synonym like "tragic conclusion" may be more appropriate. "Unfortunate ending" is most frequently found in news and media sources, which reflects its neutral tone and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unhappy ending

Replaces "unfortunate" with "unhappy", focusing on the emotional impact of the ending.

tragic conclusion

Substitutes "ending" with "conclusion" and "unfortunate" with "tragic", suggesting a more severe and sorrowful outcome.

disappointing finale

Uses "disappointing" instead of "unfortunate" and "finale" instead of "ending", highlighting the letdown associated with the conclusion.

regrettable outcome

Replaces "ending" with "outcome" and "unfortunate" with "regrettable", emphasizing a sense of remorse or wishing things had been different.

ill-fated conclusion

Uses "ill-fated" to describe the ending, implying that the negative outcome was predetermined or destined.

unpleasant conclusion

Replaces "unfortunate" with "unpleasant", focusing on the disagreeable nature of the ending.

lamentable finish

Substitutes "ending" with "finish" and "unfortunate" with "lamentable", indicating a regrettable and mournful end.

undesirable result

Uses "undesirable" instead of "unfortunate" and "result" instead of "ending", focusing on the unwanted nature of the conclusion.

calamitous termination

Replaces "ending" with "termination" and "unfortunate" with "calamitous", suggesting a disastrous and catastrophic end.

adverse culmination

Uses "adverse" instead of "unfortunate" and "culmination" instead of "ending", focusing on the negative and final nature of the outcome.

FAQs

What does "unfortunate ending" mean?

The phrase "unfortunate ending" refers to a conclusion or outcome that is disappointing, regrettable, or undesirable. It suggests that things did not turn out as hoped or expected.

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

You can use "unfortunate ending" to describe various situations. For example, "The team's promising season came to an unfortunate ending with a series of injuries."

What can I say instead of "unfortunate ending"?

You can use alternatives like "unhappy ending", "tragic conclusion", or "disappointing finale" depending on the context and the level of intensity you want to convey.

Is "unfortunate ending" formal or informal?

"Unfortunate ending" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal or academic writing, consider using alternatives like "regrettable outcome" for added precision.