unfortunately

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unfortunately' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express regret about something, or to introduce something bad or unpleasant. Example sentence: Unfortunately, I can't attend the meeting today.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The great service we have provided should have guaranteed a strong future, but unfortunately our network partners have decided otherwise.

The Guardian - Business

Unfortunately, we couldn't do it.

The Guardian - Sport

"Unfortunately, that did not happen.

The New York Times

She said: "His status as honorary president does not give him the right to hijack the Front National with vulgar provocations seemingly designed to damage me, but that unfortunately hit the whole movement".

The Guardian

Let Nick Clegg be clear: "The Liberal Democrats will add a heart to a Conservative government, and a brain to a Labour one!" Unfortunately, courage for the cowardly lion will be a casualty of any coalition agreement.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, that match also set the tone for a year of bitter controversy.

The Guardian - Sport

Unfortunately that's how many have perceived the religious community to be involved, to advocate for privatizing education and the redirecting of funds through vouchers".

The Guardian

Most students are first-time house hunters and unfortunately there are landlords who will exploit their naivety.

The Guardian

A: The Guardian and Observer receive hundreds of requests each month from students and we unfortunately aren't able to accommodate them all.

The Guardian

Modern cricket and its followers don't seem to have time for such lengthy endeavours unfortunately, but the endlessly churning hamster wheel of the cricket schedule goes on and on.

The Guardian - Sport

Johnson said that the planned Australian consensus centre, which would have been linked to Lomborg's Copenhagen consensus centre, would have done important work, but "unfortunately, that work cannot happen here".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unfortunately" to soften bad news or express regret about a situation. It adds a touch of empathy and acknowledges the negative aspect of the information you're conveying.

Common error

Avoid using "unfortunately" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and insincere. Vary your language by using synonyms like "regrettably", "sadly", or "alas" to maintain a natural and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "unfortunately" primarily functions as a sentence adverb, modifying the entire clause to express the speaker's or writer's regret, disappointment, or sense of bad luck regarding the situation being described. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use to introduce negative news or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfortunately" is a versatile adverb used to express regret, disappointment, or bad luck. Ludwig AI underlines that it functions primarily as a sentence adverb, softening negative information across various registers. While extremely common, avoid overuse for a more sincere tone. Consider alternatives like "regrettably" or "alas" to diversify your writing. Use it to introduce negative information and to show empathy, but do not use it in excess.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regrettably

This alternative conveys a similar sense of sorrow or disappointment, often used in formal contexts.

sadly

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of sadness associated with the negative situation.

alas

This alternative is a more literary or old-fashioned way to express sorrow or regret.

unluckily

This alternative highlights the role of bad luck or chance in the unfavorable outcome.

it is regrettable that

This alternative is a more formal and explicit way to express regret about a situation.

it's a pity that

This alternative expresses a sense of sorrow or disappointment about something.

it is disappointing that

This alternative directly states the feeling of disappointment associated with the situation.

to my dismay

This alternative emphasizes the speaker's feeling of disappointment or shock at the outcome.

I regret to say

This alternative is a formal way to introduce bad news or express regret.

by bad luck

This alternative focuses on the role of misfortune in causing the negative situation.

FAQs

How can I use "unfortunately" in a sentence?

You can use "unfortunately" to express regret or disappointment about a situation. For example, "Unfortunately, I can't attend the meeting today" or "Unfortunately, the event has been cancelled".

What are some alternatives to using "unfortunately"?

You can use alternatives such as "regrettably", "sadly", or "alas" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "unfortunately"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "unfortunately". It functions as an adverb modifying the entire sentence.

What is the difference between "unfortunately" and "fortunately"?

"Unfortunately" expresses regret or disappointment, while "fortunately" expresses happiness or relief about a situation. They are antonyms.