unfortunate for him

USAGE SUMMARY

"unfortunate for him" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when something bad has happened or is about to happen to someone. For example: "It was unfortunate for him that his car broke down on the way to the interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

How can his best days be ahead of him?" Irishman Padraig Harrington, who won the last two majors of 2008 while the former world number one was sidelined, described the news of the American's latest absence as "unfortunate for the game of golf and more unfortunate for him". "He still is the name we would look out for the most.

BBC

It's unfortunate for him, but jeez, it's good for me to win in straight sets".

The Guardian - Sport

"It's unfortunate for him, but he's ready to move on," Swirbul said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's unfortunate for him and for us," the team president, Rod Thorn, said yesterday.

The New York Times - Sports

He definitely slowed down in the fifth set, which was unfortunate for him.

The Guardian - Sport

"But it's unfortunate for him that he's good to watch – it means you concentrate throughout rather than switching off.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

That is the other unfortunate thing for him.

The Guardian - Sport

"The injury came at a really unfortunate time for him and we would all like to thank him for his contribution," Lancashire's new cricket director and head coach Ashley Giles said.

BBC

Bos is retired, good for him but unfortunate for the finale as he is sidelined repairing his boat; his one scene with Cameron still managed to shine and had one of the night's few, brief moments of genuine warmth.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the senior Republican on the committee, told Dr. Berwick that the recess appointment was "incredibly unfortunate for you," because it deprived him of the opportunity to defend himself.

The New York Times

"It was unfortunate for sure, but I wish him the best.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unfortunate for him" to express empathy or sympathy when a man experiences an unfavorable situation, especially when highlighting the personal impact of events.

Common error

Avoid using "unfortunate for him" when describing neutral or positive situations. This phrase carries a negative connotation and should only be used when genuine misfortune is involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunate for him" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying an implied situation or event. It expresses a negative judgment or assessment regarding the impact of something on a male individual. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to convey that something bad has happened or is about to happen to someone.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unfortunate for him" is a grammatically sound and usable adjectival phrase that conveys sympathy or highlights a negative impact on a male individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable to denote situations that cause bad luck or difficulty. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports contexts, the phrase carries a neutral register and is best employed when describing genuinely unfavorable circumstances. While alternatives like "sadly for him" or "a pity for him" offer nuanced expressions, "unfortunate for him" remains a concise and effective way to express concern about someone's misfortune.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sadly for him

This alternative adds an element of sadness or disappointment, highlighting the emotional impact of the situation.

a pity for him

This alternative expresses a sense of sorrow or regret for the individual's situation, emphasizing the emotional aspect.

it is regrettable for him

This is a more formal way to express regret about the situation affecting him.

bad break for him

This alternative focuses on the unexpected or accidental nature of the misfortune, emphasizing the role of chance.

regrettably for him

This conveys a sense of formal regret or disappointment, implying that the situation could have been avoided.

tough luck for him

This phrase is more informal and suggests a lack of sympathy or acceptance of the situation, highlighting the negative outcome.

to his disadvantage

This highlights that the situation puts him in a less favorable position, emphasizing the competitive aspect.

it's his misfortune

This phrase directly states that the situation is his bad luck, emphasizing personal accountability or fate.

to his detriment

This emphasizes the harm or damage caused to the individual, focusing on the negative consequences.

alas for him

This expression is more dramatic and conveys a sense of deep sorrow or lament for the person's situation.

FAQs

How can I use "unfortunate for him" in a sentence?

You can use "unfortunate for him" to express sympathy or highlight the negative impact of a situation on a male individual. For example, "It was "unfortunate for him" that he missed the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "unfortunate for him"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "sadly for him", "a pity for him", or "tough luck for him".

Is it appropriate to use "unfortunate for him" in formal writing?

Yes, "unfortunate for him" can be used in formal writing, especially in news reports or analytical pieces where you need to objectively describe a negative situation affecting someone. More formal options like "regrettably for him" also exist.

What's the difference between "unfortunate for him" and "unfortunate for us"?

"Unfortunate for him" focuses on the negative impact on a specific male individual, while "unfortunate for us" broadens the impact to include a group or community. Both phrases express a negative outcome, but differ in scope.