unfortunate time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfortunate time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period or moment that is considered to be negative or not ideal for a particular situation. Example: "I had to cancel our meeting due to an unfortunate time conflict with another commitment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Community Solutions to the Rising Tide of Prescription Opioid Misuse is being presented at a very timely and unfortunate time, with Prince's death in April being linked to prescription drug abuse.

University of California, Berkeley

"Unfortunately mistakes happen and this happened to be a very unfortunate time for this kind of mistake".

The New York Times

It was a very unfortunate time".

The New York Times

This comes at a very unfortunate time.

The Washington Post

And it was an unfortunate time.

The Guardian - Sport

Historically, libraries have had an unfortunate time in the city.

The Guardian

"This is an unfortunate time to run aground".

The New Yorker

"It's an unfortunate time for England, because I know how that can affect a team firsthand".

The New York Times

And, entertaining though it has been, this was an unfortunate time to have an election.

The Economist

The formative weeks of the preseason seemed an unfortunate time for Williams to sit out.

The New York Times - Sports

The long years of the Thatcher government came at an unfortunate time for Williams.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While acceptable in most contexts, more formal writing may benefit from alternatives like "inopportune moment".

Common error

Avoid using "unfortunate time" to describe truly tragic events; it may downplay the severity. Opt for stronger language like "tragic moment" or "devastating period" to reflect the gravity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunate time" functions as an adjectival modifier plus a noun, describing a specific period or instance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating that it's grammatically sound and semantically clear.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unfortunate time" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an event occurring at an unsuitable moment. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's well-regarded and usable in English writing. Predominantly found in News & Media, it's also acceptable in academic and formal contexts. When using "unfortunate time", ensure that it accurately reflects the degree of negativity; for severely tragic events, consider stronger language. Alternatives include "inopportune moment" or "bad timing", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad timing

A more concise way to express the same idea, emphasizing the poor timing.

poor timing

Similar to "bad timing", this phrase emphasizes the lack of opportune timing.

inopportune moment

Replaces 'unfortunate' with 'inopportune', emphasizing the lack of suitability.

unfavorable moment

Emphasizes the negative or disadvantageous nature of the timing.

untimely occasion

Substitutes 'time' with 'occasion' and 'unfortunate' with 'untimely', highlighting the poor timing.

ill-chosen moment

Replaces 'unfortunate' with 'ill-chosen', highlighting a bad decision regarding timing.

awkward period

Replaces 'unfortunate' with 'awkward' and 'time' with 'period', focusing on the discomfort associated with the timing.

inauspicious timing

Uses 'inauspicious' to suggest that the timing is unfavorable or unlucky.

inconvenient juncture

Uses 'inconvenient' instead of 'unfortunate' and 'juncture' for 'time', stressing the lack of convenience.

bad break

Informal phrase indicating a piece of bad luck or unfortunate event, in terms of timing.

FAQs

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

You can use "unfortunate time" to describe an event that occurred at an unsuitable or inconvenient moment. For example, "The accident happened at an "unfortunate time", during the peak of rush hour."

What are some alternatives to "unfortunate time"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "inopportune moment", "bad timing", or "untimely occasion".

Is "unfortunate time" a formal or informal expression?

"Unfortunate time" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "inopportune moment".

When is it inappropriate to use "unfortunate time"?

Avoid using "unfortunate time" when describing extremely serious or tragic events, as it may minimize the gravity of the situation. Consider stronger terms like "tragic moment" or "devastating period" in such cases.