unfortunately too

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfortunately too" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express regret or disappointment about an additional aspect of a situation. Example: "I wanted to attend the concert, but unfortunately too many people bought tickets before I could."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Unfortunately, too often we are".

The New York Times

Unfortunately, too few people get any of the recommended screenings.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, too many of Alabama's politicians still don't get it.

The New York Times

"Unfortunately, too much of the debate was in the open".

The New York Times

Unfortunately, too many people were playing drinking games to pay attention.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, too many young people are being failed at the first opportunity.

Independent

"But our resources are unfortunately too limited to deliver what is expected".

The New York Times

Unfortunately, too much of "The Dark Road" reads like an op-ed column.

The New York Times - Books

Unfortunately, too many of these voters were denied that chance to cast their ballots.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, too many heterosexual fathers, apart from those who are divorced, are sleeping through these debates.

The Guardian - Opinion

But too often, unfortunately, too much is made of it in a negative context.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unfortunately too" to smoothly introduce an additional unfortunate aspect of a situation, ensuring the context has already established a negative tone or outcome. This helps maintain clarity and avoids abrupt shifts in sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using "unfortunately too" repeatedly within a short span of writing. This can make your text sound overly negative and repetitive. Instead, vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "sadly also" or rephrasing the sentence to convey the same meaning with different words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunately too" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a clause or sentence. It expresses regret or disappointment while introducing an additional negative element. As indicated by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable expression. The Ludwig examples show how it commonly introduces an extra unfortunate detail.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfortunately too" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express regret or disappointment while adding another layer of negative information. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides various examples of its usage in news, scientific, and formal contexts. While the phrase is generally acceptable in most registers, it's essential to use it judiciously to avoid sounding repetitive and to consider more formal alternatives like "regrettably also" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sadly also

Replaces "unfortunately" with "sadly", maintaining the tone of regret while "also" reinforces the additional negative aspect.

regrettably also

Substitutes "unfortunately" with "regrettably", emphasizing the feeling of disappointment and adding a degree of formality.

alas, too

Replaces "unfortunately" with "alas", introducing a more literary or old-fashioned expression of sorrow.

unluckily, even

Uses "unluckily" to convey misfortune, with "even" highlighting the unexpected or additional nature of the negative outcome.

by bad luck, as well

Rephrases "unfortunately" to explicitly state bad luck, while "as well" adds another layer of negative circumstances.

in addition, regrettably

Inverts the structure, placing the addition at the start but maintaining a sense of regret.

to make matters worse

Introduces a phrase that directly indicates a worsening situation, replacing the single-word expression of regret.

worse still

A concise way to express that something is even more unfortunate than what was previously mentioned.

on the downside, also

Uses "on the downside" to point out a negative aspect, and "also" to indicate an additional unfavorable element.

it's also a pity that

Explicitly states regret with "it's a pity", while "also" emphasizes the additional disappointment.

FAQs

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

Use "unfortunately too" to introduce an additional piece of negative information, building upon a previously stated disappointment. For example, "The event was cancelled, and "unfortunately too" many people had already made travel arrangements".

What are some alternatives to "unfortunately too"?

You can use alternatives like "sadly also", "regrettably also", or "alas, too" depending on the context and desired tone.

Is it redundant to say "unfortunately too"?

While "unfortunately" already implies a negative situation, adding "too" emphasizes an additional unfortunate aspect. It's not strictly redundant but should be used judiciously to avoid sounding repetitive.

Can "unfortunately too" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "unfortunately too" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider alternatives like "regrettably also" for a more sophisticated tone. The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.