we are unfortunately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are unfortunately" can be used in written English.
It is usually used to introduce a statement of regret, typically following an apology. Example sentence: We are sorry for the inconvenience, but we are unfortunately unable to issue a refund for your purchase at this time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

THE NEW YORKER: We are, unfortunately, out of time.

The New Yorker

We are unfortunately not ready to fight extraterrestrial civilizations," Berezhnoy replied.

Independent

"This is the very painful price we are unfortunately paying," he said.

The New York Times

We are unfortunately very familiar with such a catalogue of police incompetence, laziness, prejudice and even hostility.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have policies that are among the best in the world, which we are unfortunately watering down".

The Guardian

"There are two other clubs who have made Nicklas an offer and we are unfortunately not in that position".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

We were, unfortunately, proved to be entirely correct.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But we're unfortunately going to have to support him".

The Economist

We were unfortunately in the minority; she could not find Lucia's.

The New York Times - Magazine

He added, "We're stronger united, but now we're unfortunately very divided".

The New York Times

If Sandy, however, begins to give a little opening for discussion, we're unfortunately at the point where we have to force the discussion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are unfortunately" to introduce bad news or express regret, softening the impact of the message. For instance, instead of abruptly stating a cancellation, preface it with this phrase.

Common error

Avoid beginning multiple consecutive sentences with "unfortunately", as it can make your writing sound repetitive and insincere. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms such as "regrettably" or rephrase the sentence entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are unfortunately" functions as a modal adverbial phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it introduces statements of regret, typically modifying the verb phrase to express disappointment about the situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we are unfortunately" is a versatile expression used to introduce disappointing news or convey regret. As Ludwig AI states, it’s grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. The analysis reveals that while it's most frequent in news and media, it also appears in scientific and business contexts. When writing, it's best to use this phrase to soften the impact of negative information; however, it's crucial to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "we regretfully are" or "we sadly are" to maintain variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we regretfully are

Replaces "unfortunately" with "regretfully", indicating a formal expression of sorrow.

we sadly are

Substitutes "unfortunately" with "sadly", offering a more direct emotional tone.

we are unhappily

Replaces "unfortunately" with "unhappily", emphasizing a state of discontent.

it is unfortunate that we are

Rephrases the sentence to highlight the unfortunate situation, adding a layer of emphasis.

we are, to our dismay

Emphasizes disappointment by inserting "to our dismay", adding stronger emotional impact.

we are, regrettably

Modifies the sentence structure by placing "regrettably" as an interjection.

we are, sadly

Shifts the sentence structure by using "sadly" as an interjection.

we are, to our disappointment

Highlights the element of disappointment by explicitly stating it.

we are, alas

Replaces "unfortunately" with "alas", bringing a sense of lament and resignation.

we are, to our regret

Emphasizes the element of regret by explicitly stating it.

FAQs

How can I use "we are unfortunately" in a sentence?

The phrase "we are unfortunately" is typically used to introduce news that is disappointing or undesirable. For example, "We are unfortunately unable to offer you the position at this time."

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

You can use alternatives like "we regretfully are", "we sadly are", or "it is unfortunate that we are depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "unfortunately"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "unfortunately". It is often used as a sentence adverb to express regret or bad luck. However, using "we are unfortunately" is another alternative if you want to add a more formal tone.

When should I use "we are unfortunately" instead of simply saying "unfortunately"?

Use "we are unfortunately" when the action or situation directly involves your group or organization. For example, "Unfortunately, the event is canceled" is general, while "We are unfortunately canceling the event" specifies who is taking the action.