unfortunately for him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfortunately for him" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a way to express sympathy for someone's unfortunate circumstances. For example, "The accident left him paralyzed, unfortunately for him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Unfortunately for him, he was unconvincing.

The New York Times

(Unfortunately for him, he's an inny).

The New Yorker

Unfortunately for him the Egyptian Army answered.

The New York Times

"Unfortunately for him, he's not.

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately for him, it's in the minority.

The New York Times

Unfortunately for him, it meant his ouster".

The New York Times

Unfortunately for him, it was not.

The Guardian - Sport

Unfortunately for him, he failed the tryout.

The New York Times

(Unfortunately for him, he's an inny)." And so on.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately for him, his instrument was a lemon.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately for him, many Republican primary voters do not.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unfortunately for him" to express empathy or a sense of irony when describing someone's setback or disappointment. Make sure the context clearly establishes who "him" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "unfortunately for him" when the misfortune is minor or insignificant, as it can sound overly dramatic or sarcastic. Reserve it for situations where the negative outcome has a notable impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunately for him" functions as a sentence adverbial, modifying the entire clause that follows it. It expresses the speaker's attitude or evaluation of the situation described. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unfortunately for him" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a piece of bad luck or an unfavorable situation for a male individual. According to Ludwig AI, it's frequently used in news and media to express sympathy, regret, or even irony. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic in minor situations. Consider alternatives like "sadly for him" or "regrettably for him" for nuanced expression. Remember to clearly establish the identity of "him" for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sadly for him

Emphasizes the sadness or disappointment associated with the unfavorable situation.

regrettably for him

Highlights the regretful nature of the circumstances affecting the person.

unluckily for him

Focuses on the lack of luck as the cause of the person's misfortune.

to his misfortune

Formal way of expressing that something bad happened to him.

alas for him

An archaic expression that evokes a strong sense of sorrow or pity.

it's his bad luck

Simple, direct way of stating that the person experienced bad luck.

fatefully for him

Highlights the role of fate or destiny in the person's unfortunate situation.

as fate would have it for him

Suggests that the unfortunate situation was predetermined or inevitable.

unfortunately, as it turned out for him

Adds an emphasis on how things developed, specifying the unfortunate result.

to his sorrow

Expresses that the events caused sorrow to the person.

FAQs

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

Use "unfortunately for him" to introduce an unfavorable outcome for a specific male individual. For instance, "He trained for months, but unfortunately for him, he twisted his ankle right before the race."

What are some alternatives to saying "unfortunately for him"?

You can use alternatives like "sadly for him", "regrettably for him", or "unluckily for him" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "sadly for him" instead of "unfortunately for him"?

Yes, "sadly for him" is a correct and similar phrase that expresses a sense of disappointment or misfortune. However, "unfortunately for him" might be considered slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "unfortunately for him" and "luckily for him"?

"Unfortunately for him" indicates an unfavorable or unlucky situation, while "luckily for him" implies a fortunate or favorable situation. They are opposites in meaning.