very unfortunately

USAGE SUMMARY

'very unfortunately' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something has happened that is unwelcome or unwanted. For example: "I had to miss the party, very unfortunately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Very unfortunately, it resulted in a horrible action".

The New York Times - Sports

My younger brother very unfortunately died of a brain tumour five years ago.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She had an extra hepatic vein, located, very unfortunately, on the back side of the liver.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I don't get laid any more on the basis of my looks alone, very unfortunately.

The Guardian - Arts

That, very unfortunately, is misleading and the numbers tell us why.

The Guardian - Opinion

Very unfortunately, we no longer know where science stands with regard to its ring-fenced core budget.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Not very much, unfortunately.

The New Yorker

"R&B is very stale, unfortunately," she said.

The New York Times - Style

I don't sail very often, unfortunately, because I lack time to do that.

The New York Times - Sports

The cars by their very nature unfortunately make that following small," he added.

The New York Times

"The glioblastoma population is very studyable, unfortunately, because the prognosis is so grim," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very unfortunately" to introduce a statement that contrasts with a previous positive expectation or to soften the impact of bad news. It adds a layer of empathy.

Common error

Avoid using "very unfortunately" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound overly dramatic or insincere. Use it judiciously for emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very unfortunately" functions as an adverbial modifier. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. It modifies a verb or clause, expressing the speaker's regret or disappointment about a situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Very unfortunately" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase to express regret or disappointment, as Ludwig AI confirms. It is most often found in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and formal business writing. While it is appropriate for various situations, avoid overuse to maintain sincerity. Related phrases like ""very sadly"" or ""very regrettably"" can offer alternative nuances. Remember to use it judiciously to soften the blow of negative information while maintaining a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very sadly

Emphasizes the sadness associated with the situation, rather than the misfortune.

very regrettably

Highlights the feeling of regret about a situation, similar to "very unfortunately".

quite unfortunately

Uses "quite" as an intensifier, slightly softening the negative impact.

very tragically

Conveys a stronger sense of sorrow and misfortune than "very unfortunately".

very unhappily

Focuses on the unhappiness caused by the situation.

very unluckily

Highlights the lack of luck involved in the situation.

very disappointingly

Emphasizes the disappointment resulting from a situation.

to my great regret

Expresses personal regret using a more formal tone and structure.

alas, it is so

A more literary and somewhat archaic way of expressing disappointment.

it's a crying shame

Expresses a sense of injustice or pity about the situation.

FAQs

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

"Very unfortunately" is typically used to express disappointment or regret about a situation. For example: "Very unfortunately, the event was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances."

What can I say instead of "very unfortunately"?

Alternatives include "very sadly", "very regrettably", or "quite unfortunately", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "very unfortunately"?

Yes, "very unfortunately" is grammatically correct. The adverb "unfortunately" is modified by the intensifier "very", making it a standard adverbial phrase.

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

Adding "very" intensifies the feeling of regret or disappointment. While "unfortunately" expresses a negative outcome, "very unfortunately" emphasizes the speaker's or writer's strong feeling about that outcome.