unhappy for

USAGE SUMMARY

"unhappy for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used as an adjective phrase to describe a feeling of sorrow or distress caused by a particular situation or person. For example: "I was unhappy for my friend when she did not get hired for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unhappy for whom?

The New Yorker

He is seldom unhappy for long.

The New Yorker

He never stays unhappy for long.

The New York Times - Arts

But he is not unhappy for long.

The New York Times - Sports

I have been unhappy for American mathematics since.

Cornell University

Actually, Garciaparra has been unhappy for a while.

The New York Times - Sports

"People are very unhappy for being held up by traffic.

The Guardian

He said he had been unhappy for years.

The New York Times - Health

"I was agonisingly unhappy for both of them.

The Guardian - Film

Mary has been unhappy for 18 months or more.

The Guardian

Mr. Roy was unhappy for another reason, too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "unhappy for" to describe a feeling of dissatisfaction with a particular outcome or situation, but avoid using it when describing general states of sadness or depression.

Common error

Avoid using "unhappy for" to describe personal feelings of sadness without an external cause or object. Instead of saying "I am unhappy for no reason", use "I am sad" or "I am feeling down". "Unhappy for" typically implies a reason or someone you feel sorry for.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unhappy for" primarily functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, expressing a feeling of sorrow, concern, or dissatisfaction related to a specific person, situation, or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unhappy for" is a common and grammatically sound way to express sympathy, concern, or disappointment related to a specific person or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, primarily used to convey empathy or dissatisfaction with a particular outcome. While its usage spans various contexts, it's most frequently found in news and media, and academic writing. Remember to use it when you want to show sorrow or concern for someone else's misfortune, but avoid using it to describe general feelings of personal sadness without an external cause. For expressing personal sadness, it is more appropriate to use alternatives such as "I'm sad" or "I'm feeling down".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dissatisfied with

Focuses on a lack of satisfaction regarding something specific.

displeased with

Indicates mild annoyance or disapproval.

not content with

Emphasizes a lack of contentment or acceptance.

disappointed by

Highlights a feeling of sadness due to unmet expectations.

frustrated with

Suggests a feeling of being blocked or hindered, leading to unhappiness.

aggrieved by

Implies a sense of injustice or unfair treatment causing unhappiness.

resentful of

Indicates bitterness or indignation towards someone or something.

bitter about

Conveys a strong feeling of anger and disappointment.

saddened by

Emphasizes the feeling of sorrow or grief.

dejected because of

Highlights a state of low spirits and sadness due to a specific cause.

FAQs

How is "unhappy for" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "unhappy for" is generally used to express sorrow or concern on behalf of someone else or about a specific situation. For example, "I was "unhappy for" her when she didn't get the job" shows sympathy, while "They were "unhappy for" the team's performance" indicates dissatisfaction with a specific outcome.

What are some alternatives to "unhappy for"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "unhappy for" include "disappointed for", "sad about", "sorry about", or "sympathetic towards". The best choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "I'm unhappy for myself"?

While grammatically understandable, "I'm "unhappy for" myself" is not the most common or natural way to express personal sadness. It's more common to say "I'm unhappy with myself" or simply "I'm unhappy" to convey personal dissatisfaction or sadness.

What's the difference between "unhappy for" and "unhappy with"?

"Unhappy for" generally expresses sympathy or sorrow for someone else's situation, while "unhappy with" indicates dissatisfaction or displeasure with something. For instance, "I'm "unhappy for" her loss" shows sympathy, whereas "I'm "unhappy with" the service" expresses dissatisfaction.