we are unfortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are unfortunate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of misfortune or bad luck experienced by a group of people. Example: "In light of the recent events, we are unfortunate to have lost our funding and must seek alternative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

All of us carry dud genes, but we'll never know this - unless, that is, we are unfortunate enough to have a baby with someone who also has that "one good, one bad" combo in the very same gene that we do.

The Guardian

Traits like intellectual courage and carefulness are virtues even if we are unfortunate enough to be the victims of a Cartesian deceiver, and traits like laziness and carelessness are vices even if, contrary to appearances, they turn out to be reliable.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We were unfortunate to lose Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones through injury last Saturday.

The Guardian - Sport

"We were unfortunate to lose to Sparta," a calm Wijnaldum said.

The Guardian - Sport

"But if we think we're unfortunate, all we have to do is walk around the block," he added.

The New York Times

During those years, the invisible assailant became a family fixture - "a wild, crazy man we were unfortunate enough to know.

The Guardian

"Earlier in the season we were unfortunate and coming up against keepers who were putting in man-of-the-match performances and it just goes that way sometimes.

The Guardian - Sport

"We were unfortunate with Bilal.

BBC

"We were unfortunate not to win.

BBC

"I would say we were unfortunate losers," he said.

BBC

and we're unfortunate not to take all three points.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are unfortunate" to express collective bad luck or disappointment, particularly when referring to events or circumstances beyond anyone's control.

Common error

Avoid using "we are unfortunate" as a blanket excuse for failures that stem from negligence or poor planning. It's more appropriate for uncontrollable events. When the situation reflects your organization's actions, take accountability, don't simply say "we are unfortunate."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are unfortunate" functions as a statement expressing a shared experience of bad luck, disappointment, or unfavorable circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are unfortunate" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey a collective feeling of bad luck or disappointment. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and suitable for expressing shared misfortune. While not extremely frequent, it appears in various contexts, including News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects circumstances beyond control and avoid overusing it as a substitute for accountability. Alternatives such as "we are unlucky" or "we are having a tough time" can provide variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are unlucky

Expresses a direct synonym, focusing on the lack of good fortune.

we are experiencing misfortune

Focuses on the occurrence of adverse events or circumstances.

we are in a difficult situation

Indicates being in a challenging or problematic circumstance.

we are facing hardship

Highlights the experience of suffering or adversity.

we are having a tough time

Emphasizes the difficulty and unpleasantness of the current period.

we are suffering setbacks

Highlights specific instances of failure or reversal in progress.

we are down on our luck

Highlights a period of reduced financial or general well-being.

we are not having much luck

Informal way to express a lack of positive outcomes.

we are on the losing end

Indicates being in a position where defeat or failure is likely.

we are drawing the short straw

Suggests being selected for an undesirable task or situation.

FAQs

What does "we are unfortunate" mean?

The phrase "we are unfortunate" means that a group of people is experiencing bad luck, difficulty, or undesirable circumstances.

What can I say instead of "we are unfortunate"?

You can use alternatives like "we are unlucky", "we are having a tough time", or "we are experiencing misfortune" depending on the context.

How do I use "we are unfortunate" in a sentence?

Use "we are unfortunate" to express collective disappointment or bad luck. For example, "We are unfortunate to have lost the contract after all our hard work."

Is it more formal to say "we are unfortunate" or "we are unlucky"?

"We are unfortunate" can be perceived as slightly more formal than "we are unlucky", but both are generally acceptable in most contexts.