unluckily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unluckily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an unfortunate situation or outcome. Example: "Unluckily, the event was canceled due to bad weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet, unluckily for all of us, he still seems more concerned with tax cuts and defending his allies in the City rather than protecting Londoners by dealing with the root causes of the malaise facing London's economy.

The Guardian

And unluckily for Mr Sutyagin, "treason" could in theory be defined as providing any information that a foreign power used against Russia, even if it were not secret.

The Economist

Unluckily for Mr Reinfeldt, his first week in the job was tainted by a whiff of scandal.

The Economist

The talks are unluckily timed: Israeli coalitions usually break up in their third year, and the five-party ensemble led by Mr Olmert's Kadima will have its second birthday in May.This fragility may be generic to Israeli politics.

The Economist

He is a king.To be exact, an ex-king: unluckily for him, Bulgaria is a republic.

The Economist

A sharp decline in the oil price has coincided, unluckily for Mr Jonathan, with the election.

The Economist

Unluckily for Russia's military industry, the war in Chechnya is hardly a show-case for the super-quiet submarines, missiles, or fighter aircraft that it most likes to sell.

The Economist

One of the parishioners was apparently beaten to death while in police custody, and the commission heard testimony from his brother, who, unluckily for Vietnamese authorities, lives in Houston.But the House members on the commission didn't call for an investigation into the serious problem of police brutality in Vietnam.

The Economist

Unluckily for Mr Noda, the Osprey is flying straight into the sorest point of the American-Japanese alliance.

The Economist

Unluckily, too, the Sahrawis' northern neighbour, Morocco, saw the underpopulated region as its own.In this section Round one to the doves Adieu, Arafat?

The Economist

Unluckily for Reform, when the west wanted in, the French-speakers in Quebec were saying that they wanted out.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unluckily" to express a sense of misfortune or bad luck, adding a touch of emotion or narrative perspective to the statement. It often works well when setting up a contrast or explaining an unexpected negative outcome.

Common error

While "unluckily" is generally acceptable, it can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "unfortunately" or "regrettably". In highly formal or professional writing, consider whether a more neutral term might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unluckily" is as an adverb. It modifies a verb, adjective, or entire clause to express that an action or situation occurred in an unfortunate or unlucky manner. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Unluckily" is a grammatically sound adverb used to convey misfortune or bad luck. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a correct and frequently used term, primarily found in news and media contexts. While highly similar to "unfortunately", "unluckily" can add a slightly more personal or emotional tone. When writing, consider the formality of your context; "unfortunately" or "regrettably" might be more suitable for highly formal pieces. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, you can effectively use "unluckily" to enrich your writing and express a sense of lament or misfortune.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunately

A direct synonym, offering a more common and neutral alternative.

regrettably

A formal synonym, emphasizing the speaker's regret about the situation.

sadly

Expresses sorrow or disappointment about the situation.

alas

A more dramatic and literary expression of regret or disappointment.

by bad luck

Highlights the role of chance or fate in the unfortunate event.

by a twist of fate

Suggests that the unfortunate event was determined by destiny or chance.

as ill luck would have it

A more elaborate way of saying something happened due to bad luck.

through misfortune

Focuses on the negative outcome caused by unfortunate circumstances.

to my dismay

Indicates the speaker's personal disappointment or distress.

it was a misfortune that

A formal expression emphasizing the unfortunate nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "unluckily" in a sentence?

You can use "unluckily" to express that something happened in an unfortunate way or that someone experienced bad luck. For example, "Unluckily for him, the store was already closed".

What are some alternatives to "unluckily"?

Some alternatives to "unluckily" include "unfortunately", "alas", or "regrettably". The best choice depends on the context and the desired tone.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "unluckily"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "unluckily". It functions as an adverb, modifying the entire sentence that follows. Example: "Unluckily for some, the results will be exhibited on-site".

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

"Unluckily" and "unfortunately" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. However, "unluckily" might carry a slightly stronger connotation of chance or fate, while "unfortunately" can be used in a broader range of contexts to express regret or disappointment.