unfortunate pairing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfortunate pairing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a combination of two elements that do not work well together or lead to negative outcomes. Example: "The movie was an unfortunate pairing of a talented director and a weak script, resulting in a disappointing film."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Tina Fey and Reese Witherspoon both wore purple, an unfortunate pairing.

The New Yorker

That would be an unfortunate pairing, since an alliance with the army is likely both to reinforce Miss Megawati's conservative instincts and to prevent a serious investigation into past army abuses.

The Economist

Less than impressed with Timbaland's rapping and "less than sexy" vocal appeal, Jon Caramanica of The New York Times said the "unfortunate pairing" was reprised, and the song "encapsulates the record's shortcomings".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

One unfortunate pair lost 1,100, collecting an absolute zero.

The New York Times - Arts

Finch wore a very unfortunate red jumper paired with a yet more unfortunate pair of orange dungarees, which made her friends wonder if they would ever be successful with Finch.

The New Yorker

It's an odd departure for a country that famously let some really ridiculous names fly, like "Violence," "Number 16 Bus Shelter" (the place of conception, one commenter suggests), and "Benson" and "Hedges" for an unfortunate pair of twins.

The New Yorker

Predictably, the unfortunate pair's one attempt to add a little risk into their monotonous existences ends up delivering far more excitement than they could ever have hoped for, as it turns out that the Tripplehorns are being sought by gangsters over a missing flashdrive that contains some salacious images of an important political figure.

The Guardian - Film

It's a style that can be challenging, and the thriller plot – involving a reclusive, ghastly music producer (like a dreadfully gone-to-seed South African Simon Cowell) and an unfortunate pair of X-Factor-ish teen-pop twins – isn't much help.

The Guardian - Books

The children were selected -- by a team that included Apted -- as representatives of a broad spectrum, ranging from a posh trio of who already had their educational plans mapped out to a less unfortunate pair who were in state care.

Huffington Post

Such a choice of vehicle seemed particularly unfortunate when paired with the many photographs, readily available on the Internet, that showed the young man in a dinner jacket and living it up at Oxford University while his father was preaching egalitarianism.

The New York Times

Park said it was "unfortunate" the pair had not been able to develop a closer relationship, and revealed they had never spoken to each other outside of the TV studio.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unfortunate pairing" to describe situations where combining two elements leads to a negative or undesirable outcome. Ensure that the context clearly indicates why the pairing is considered unfortunate.

Common error

Avoid using "unfortunate pairing" when a milder term like "mismatch" or "odd couple" would be more appropriate. Reserve it for situations with genuinely negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunate pairing" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "unfortunate" modifies the noun "pairing". It describes a combination that has negative consequences. Ludwig provides examples illustrating this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfortunate pairing" is a phrase used to describe a combination of two elements that results in a negative outcome. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and provides examples from reliable sources, although its frequency of use is relatively rare. The phrase is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news and media, with alternatives available to refine the nuance of your writing. The expert rating reflects the phrase's correctness, source authority, and usage consistency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill-fated combination

Replaces "unfortunate" with "ill-fated", emphasizing the negative outcome.

unsuitable match

Substitutes "pairing" with "match", focusing on the lack of compatibility.

poor combination

Uses "poor" instead of "unfortunate", indicating a less than ideal mix.

unhappy alliance

Employs "alliance" to replace "pairing", suggesting a problematic union.

mismatched duo

Replaces "pairing" with "duo", highlighting the lack of harmony between two entities.

ill-advised coupling

Substitutes "unfortunate" with "ill-advised" and "pairing" with "coupling", emphasizing a poor decision.

unlucky combination

Replaces "unfortunate" with "unlucky", attributing the negative outcome to chance.

awkward combination

Uses "awkward" instead of "unfortunate", suggesting discomfort or unease.

disastrous mix

Replaces "pairing" with "mix", emphasizing the negative and potentially harmful result.

incompatible blend

Uses "incompatible" instead of "unfortunate" and blend rather than "pairing" suggesting a clash of elements.

FAQs

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

Use "unfortunate pairing" to describe two things that, when combined, produce a negative outcome. For example, "The movie was an "unfortunate pairing" of a talented director and a weak script".

What are some alternatives to "unfortunate pairing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "poor combination", "unsuitable match", or "ill-fated combination".

Is "unfortunate pairing" formal or informal?

"Unfortunate pairing" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though consider the specific audience and adjust your language accordingly. In highly formal settings, "ill-advised combination" might be preferable.

What makes a pairing "unfortunate"?

A pairing is considered "unfortunate" when the combination of two things leads to negative or undesirable results. This could be due to incompatibility, conflicting interests, or other factors that hinder success or harmony.