unfortunately today

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfortunately today" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express regret or disappointment about something that is happening or has happened on the current day. Example: "Unfortunately today, we have to cancel the meeting due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unfortunately, today it is no longer enough.

The Economist

He said: "Unfortunately today the other guys were better.

Independent

Unfortunately, today it is impossible to counter it.

The New York Times

"She dreamed of being a princess … unfortunately today she is an angel," read the message.

The Guardian - Sport

"Unfortunately today there was quite a lot to discuss, and it didn't work".

The New York Times - Sports

"Unfortunately, today we see that we are very far from such an ideal".

The New York Times

Unfortunately, today, for too many Americans, it's not a possibility," he wrote.

The Guardian

"Unfortunately today we didn't get off to the start we were after on a reasonable wicket".

The Guardian - Sport

Unfortunately, today, when a movie is successful, they try to make twenty more like it," he went on.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, today, they are the issues that are absolutely central to our long-term wellbeing and even survival.

The Guardian

"This was the safest road in Mali, but unfortunately today no place in Mali is safe," the official said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unfortunately today" to introduce a statement of regret or disappointment regarding a current situation. It sets a tone of mild negativity, so ensure it aligns with the overall message.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "unfortunately today", as it can make your writing sound repetitive and monotonous. Vary your sentence structure for better flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunately today" functions as a sentence adverbial, modifying the entire sentence by expressing the speaker's regret or disappointment about something happening on the current day. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unfortunately today" is a common and grammatically sound way to express regret or disappointment about a current situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used across various domains, especially in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and to consider more formal alternatives like "regrettably today" or "sadly today" when a more refined tone is required. When using "unfortunately today", remember to set an appropriate tone of mild negativity that aligns with your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Regrettably, today

Replaces "unfortunately" with "regrettably", maintaining a formal tone but slightly altering the emphasis.

Sadly, today

Substitutes "unfortunately" with "sadly", emphasizing the emotional aspect of disappointment.

Today, I regret to say

Rephrases the sentiment to be more personal and direct, highlighting the speaker's regret.

It's a shame that today

Expresses disappointment using the phrase "it's a shame", focusing on the unfortunate nature of the situation.

Today, to my dismay

Emphasizes the speaker's surprise and disappointment using "to my dismay".

As things stand today, regrettably

Adds context about the present situation while expressing regret.

Today, I'm saddened to report

Highlights the speaker's sadness in delivering bad news.

With regret, I must say today

Formal phrasing that places emphasis on the regret felt by the speaker.

It is with disappointment that I note today

A formal expression of disappointment about the current day.

I'm sorry to say that today

Expresses the speaker's sorrow while introducing unfortunate news.

FAQs

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

Use "unfortunately today" to express regret or disappointment about a current situation. For example, "Unfortunately today, the meeting has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "unfortunately today"?

You can use alternatives like "regrettably today", "sadly today", or "today I regret to say" depending on the context.

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

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Unfortunately" is an adverb that can modify the entire sentence, and "today" specifies the time frame. Starting with "unfortunately today" is acceptable and understandable.

What is the level of formality of the phrase "unfortunately today"?

The phrase "unfortunately today" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both professional and informal settings, though more formal alternatives like "with regret I must say today" may be preferred in certain contexts.