unfortunately though

USAGE SUMMARY

"unfortunately though" is a common phrase in written English, used to express regret at a certain situation.
Example: I wanted to meet her in person, unfortunately though the pandemic is still raging in our area.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unfortunately though, they already have.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unfortunately, though, there are some things missing".

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, though, they probably will not be.

The Economist

UNFORTUNATELY, though, Claire is repellently mean-spirited.

The New York Times - Books

Unfortunately, though, this isn't such an occasion.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately though, I'll be used to that.

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately, though, this has an environmental cost.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unfortunately though, the damage to the Camp was extensive.

Yale University

"Unfortunately, though, the war is lost," Mr. Wilkie said.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, though, the communications error had been made.

The New Yorker

He smiled, then added, "Unfortunately, though, they never do".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unfortunately though" to smoothly transition between a positive statement and a subsequent negative or contrasting point, adding a tone of mild regret.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing "unfortunately though" in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more sophisticated transitions like "regrettably, however" or "notwithstanding" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial phrases like "unfortunately though" modify the meaning of a clause, adding a sense of regret while also introducing a contrasting element. Ludwig AI confirms its use in various contexts, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Unfortunately though" is a common phrase used to express regret while introducing a contrasting element. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. While effective in many situations, it's important to consider the context and formality of your writing. For more formal settings, alternatives like "regrettably, however" or "notwithstanding" may be more appropriate. Avoid overuse, and ensure the phrase effectively connects contrasting ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Regrettably, however

More formal and emphasizes the regretful aspect.

It's regrettable, yet

More formal and emphasizes the regrettable aspect before introducing a contrasting element.

Sadly, nonetheless

Highlights the sadness or disappointment while still introducing a contrast.

Sadly, even so

Highlights the unfortunate nature while still indicating continuation or persistence.

It's a shame, but

Less formal and more conversational.

Though it's a shame

Focuses on the disappointment inherent in the situation.

However, it's a pity that

More elaborate and emphasizes the unfortunate nature of the situation.

On the downside, though

More direct and focuses on the negative aspect.

Despite this setback

Emphasizes overcoming a challenge or obstacle.

Alas, still

More dramatic and literary in tone.

FAQs

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

"Unfortunately though" is typically used to introduce a contrasting or disappointing element after an initial statement. For example: "The weather was perfect for the picnic. "Unfortunately though", nobody showed up."

What's a more formal alternative to "unfortunately though"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "regrettably, however", "notwithstanding", or "despite this" instead of "unfortunately though" for a more sophisticated tone.

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

While starting a sentence with "unfortunately though" isn't strictly incorrect, it's often stylistically better to place it mid-sentence, following the element it contrasts with. "However", context matters, and it can work depending on desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "unfortunately" and "unfortunately though"?

"Unfortunately" simply expresses regret. "Unfortunately though" introduces a contrast in addition to expressing regret. It signals that despite an initial positive or neutral statement, there's a negative or limiting factor to consider.