unfortunately however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfortunately however" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase to introduce a contrast in a sentence, for example: "Unfortunately however, I was unable to complete the task on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unfortunately, however, Hyland issued this statement.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, however, that approach doesn't always work.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, however, more would be better.

Harvard University

Unfortunately, however, the 2012 Republican platform confounds that noble wish.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, however, he has invested his play with an agenda.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, however, too many of them are dead.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, however, Bethlehem looks nothing like a Christmas card.

The Guardian - Travel

Unfortunately, however, Adam does not use his new home.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unfortunately, however, in other comparable aspects Consolation comes out wanting.

The Guardian - Books

Unfortunately, however, uncertainty is a persistent reality of this world.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, however, we don't live in that world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unfortunately however", ensure that the "unfortunately" part genuinely reflects a negative aspect and the "however" part introduces a clear contrast or unexpected twist. This strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "unfortunately however". This can make your writing sound repetitive and monotonous. Vary your sentence structure and use alternative transitional phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunately however" primarily functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, signaling a contrast or unexpected turn of events following an initial statement of disappointment or regret. Ludwig confirms its correct grammatical status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfortunately however" serves as a conjunctive adverbial phrase used to introduce a contrast or unexpected turn following a statement of disappointment. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academic writing, and formal business communications. When writing, ensure you use it to signal a genuine contrast and avoid overuse to maintain clarity and engagement. Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous real-world examples confirm its versatility and proper usage, making it a valuable tool for expressing nuanced ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sadly though

Replaces "unfortunately" with "sadly" maintaining a similar tone of regret but uses a more informal conjunction.

regrettably still

Emphasizes the speaker's regret more strongly than "unfortunately", while "still" indicates that the previous condition persists.

alas nonetheless

Introduces a sense of lament with "alas" and employs a stronger contrast with "nonetheless."

unluckily in contrast

Replaces "unfortunately" with "unluckily", keeping the negative connotation and setting up a clear contradiction

by bad luck conversely

Highlights the element of chance and emphasizes the contrast between the initial situation and the current one.

it's a pity but

Uses a more conversational and less formal expression of regret, followed by a direct contradiction.

on the downside yet

Emphasizes that what will follow is going to be a problem

to my dismay conversely

Highlights the personal disappointment and a contrast between the initial situation and the current one.

badly nevertheless

Uses a more informal expression that emphasizes that something happened in a bad way and emphasizes the contrast.

it is regrettable on the other hand

Highlights a formale sense of regret and introduces a different point of view.

FAQs

How can I use "unfortunately however" in a sentence?

Use "unfortunately however" to introduce a contrasting or unexpected element following a statement of disappointment or regret. For example: "The weather forecast predicted sunshine; unfortunately however, it rained all day."

What are some alternatives to "unfortunately however"?

You can use alternatives like "sadly though", "regrettably still", or "alas nonetheless" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it grammatically correct to use "unfortunately however"?

Yes, the phrase "unfortunately however" is grammatically correct. It combines an adverb of regret with a conjunction to introduce a contrast.

What's the difference between "unfortunately however" and "unfortunately but"?

"Unfortunately however" tends to be slightly more formal and emphatic than "unfortunately but". "Unfortunately but" is also a correct form, but can sound less refined than "unfortunately however".