unfortunately of course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfortunately of course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of resignation or acceptance about an unfortunate situation that is expected or predictable. Example: "Unfortunately, of course, the event was canceled due to the weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Unfortunately, of course, such cruelty is all too familiar.

The New York Times - Books

Unfortunately, of course, in today's overfed and underexercised populations nature's way is not the best way.

Independent

"Unfortunately, of course, the magic carpet then crashed horribly to the ground when the film actually came out".

The Guardian - Film

Unfortunately, of course, these positive developments were attended by a speculative bubble in the stock market, which eventually burst.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, of course, the end was tragic, if I can put it that way, but it's still one of the major high points of my career".

The Guardian - Sport

Unfortunately, of course, life is more complex than that, especially when the countries that endorsed the sonorous phrases include some of the worst violators of human rights, with murder of opponents, suppression of women and homosexuals, slavery and savage punishments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Unfortunately and of course it is the latter.

Huffington Post

No multi ball action allowed of course... unfortunately.

BBC

Of course, unfortunately for Nick, Wendy is engaged.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, these drugs are of course ineffective against X4-tropic viruses.

BioData Mining

"Unfortunately, the course of the election has become tainted with all sorts of lies and slanderous statements," Mr. Rafsanjani said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unfortunately of course" when you want to acknowledge a negative situation that isn't entirely surprising. It's effective for conveying a sense of weary acceptance or resignation.

Common error

Avoid using "unfortunately of course" too frequently in your writing, as it can come across as repetitive or insincere. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing your sentences to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunately of course" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a statement by expressing a sense of regret or disappointment alongside an acknowledgment of inevitability. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing examples where the phrase introduces a negative outcome that isn't entirely surprising.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfortunately of course" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express a resigned acceptance of an undesirable but not entirely surprising situation. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's grammatically correct and most frequently found in News & Media. The phrase serves to soften bad news by blending disappointment with a sense of inevitability. While not overly formal, it should be used judiciously to avoid repetition. Consider alternatives like "sadly of course" or "regrettably of course" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sadly of course

Replaces "unfortunately" with "sadly", maintaining the same sentiment but potentially sounding slightly more emotional.

regrettably of course

Substitutes "unfortunately" with "regrettably", providing a more formal and somber tone.

naturally unfortunately

Inverts the order and replaces "of course" with "naturally", shifting the emphasis slightly to the expected nature of the unfortunate event.

alas of course

Uses "alas" instead of "unfortunately", injecting a touch of classic or literary flair.

unluckily of course

Replaces "unfortunately" with "unluckily", emphasizing the element of chance or bad luck involved.

it's a pity of course

Expresses regret more explicitly, using "it's a pity" to convey the speaker's disappointment.

as expected unfortunately

Replaces "of course" with "as expected", directly highlighting the lack of surprise at the unfortunate outcome.

of course sadly

Inverts the order and uses "sadly" to emphasize the unfortunate nature of the event.

naturally regrettably

Combines "naturally" and "regrettably" for a formal and somewhat resigned tone.

as things go unfortunately

Adds a philosophical tone, suggesting that the unfortunate event is simply part of the way things are.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "unfortunately of course"?

Use "unfortunately of course" when you want to express mild disappointment or resignation about a situation that, while undesirable, isn't entirely unexpected. It acknowledges both the negative aspect and its predictability.

What are some alternatives to "unfortunately of course"?

Consider using alternatives like "sadly of course", "regrettably of course", or "naturally unfortunately" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "unfortunately of course" considered formal or informal?

"Unfortunately of course" occupies a middle ground. It is not overly formal, but it isn't strictly informal either. Its suitability depends on the overall tone of your writing and the expectations of your audience.

Can "unfortunately of course" be used in all contexts?

While generally versatile, "unfortunately of course" might not be appropriate in situations requiring extreme sensitivity or gravity. In those instances, a more direct and less nuanced expression of sorrow or concern may be preferable.