unfortunately for you

USAGE SUMMARY

"unfortunately for you" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express regret or disappointment at a situation involving the person you are speaking to. For example: "Unfortunately for you, the store is out of your favorite flavor of ice cream."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"Unfortunately for you, you committed a violation of federal law".

The New York Times

Unfortunately for you JI, the situation you're in is more complicated.

The Guardian - Money

Unfortunately for you, the franchise has been rebooted and updated for a new film.

The Guardian

Unfortunately for you and for that caller, the Stuart boathouse, which opened in 2005, is full.

The New York Times

Unfortunately for you, most of our projects are classified code orange.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Unfortunately for you, it sounds like there are too many opinions and no consensus.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Unfortunately for Daly, you can't report more in losses than you claim in winnings.

Forbes

Unfortunately for Mr. DeCarlo, you probably didn't pay more than a quarter.

The New York Times

Unfortunately for all you folks hoping to make Barack Obama a one-term President, this was Ann Romney speaking, not Mitt.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately for tackles, you get to see it a little bit more than us on the inside".

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately for travelers, you need to be the guest of a member (or a member yourself) to stay.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unfortunately for you" to gently convey disappointing news or express sympathy while acknowledging the other person's predicament. This phrase is best used when you want to soften the impact of the news.

Common error

Avoid using "unfortunately for you" too frequently in a short span, as it can make you sound insincere or condescending. Vary your language to maintain a genuine tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunately for you" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a statement to express regret or disappointment about a situation specifically affecting the listener. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfortunately for you" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to convey regret or sympathy when delivering bad news or acknowledging someone's unfortunate situation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and general communication. While it is generally neutral in tone, overuse should be avoided to maintain sincerity. Consider alternatives like "sadly for you" or "to your dismay" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sadly for you

Replaces "unfortunately" with "sadly", maintaining the core meaning of expressing sorrow or disappointment.

unluckily for you

Substitutes "unfortunately" with "unluckily", conveying the sense of bad luck affecting the person.

regrettably for you

Uses "regrettably" instead of "unfortunately", emphasizing the speaker's regret about the situation.

to your dismay

Emphasizes the feeling of disappointment the person experiences as a result.

to your misfortune

Highlights the unfortunate nature of the situation and its impact on the person.

I'm afraid that for you

Introduces a sense of apprehension about conveying bad news.

I have bad news for you

Directly states that bad news is coming, setting a somber tone.

it's bad news for you

Presents the situation as generally bad news specifically impacting the other person.

alas for you

A more dramatic and literary way to express sorrow or regret.

it's a pity for you

Focuses on the regrettable aspect of the situation from the speaker's perspective.

FAQs

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

Use "unfortunately for you" to express regret or disappointment about a situation affecting someone. For example, "Unfortunately for you, all the tickets are sold out."

What's a more formal alternative to "unfortunately for you"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "regrettably for you" or "to your dismay". These options maintain the meaning while elevating the formality.

Is it ever appropriate to use "unfortunately for you" sarcastically?

While possible, using "unfortunately for you" sarcastically can easily be misconstrued. Exercise caution and ensure your tone is clear to avoid unintended offense.

What's the difference between "unfortunately" and "unfortunately for you"?

"Unfortunately" generally expresses a general sense of regret, while "unfortunately for you" directly acknowledges the negative impact on the listener.