we are unhappy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are unhappy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express dissatisfaction or discontent in various contexts, such as personal relationships, work situations, or general feelings. Example: "After the recent changes in management, we are unhappy with the direction the company is taking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

We are unhappy.

The New York Times

We are unhappy with what happened there.

The New York Times

"They know we are unhappy about it".

The New York Times

We are unhappy whenever we lose a single reader".

The New York Times

"We are unhappy in Turkey, we have no rights.

The Guardian

"We are unhappy with what happened there," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"If you're unhappy, we're unhappy... we're here to serve you.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're unhappy," said Steven E. Quinn, a vice president of Con Edison.

The New York Times

"We were unhappy with the Taliban regime," he said.

The New York Times

We're unhappy about it, the business community is extremely unhappy about it".

The New York Times

But most of us, we're unhappy and we want answers".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "we are unhappy" with a "with", "about", or "at" prepositional phrase to indicate the specific reason for dissatisfaction: "We are unhappy with the service", "We are unhappy about the decision", "We are unhappy at what we saw".

Common error

Avoid simply stating "we are unhappy" without offering suggestions for improvement. Provide specific feedback or solutions to demonstrate a proactive approach and encourage positive change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are unhappy" functions as a statement of collective feeling or opinion. Based on Ludwig, this phrase is used to express dissatisfaction, displeasure, or discontent about a particular situation or event. It's a direct way of conveying negative sentiment on behalf of a group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are unhappy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for conveying collective dissatisfaction. According to Ludwig, it effectively serves to express discontent across various contexts, predominantly within news and media. The key to using "we are unhappy" effectively lies in providing specific context for the unhappiness and, ideally, offering constructive feedback to facilitate positive change. While alternatives like "we are dissatisfied" or "we are disappointed" exist, "we are unhappy" remains a direct and widely understood way to voice collective discontent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are dissatisfied

Expresses a formal sense of not being pleased or content.

we are displeased

Indicates a more polite and formal expression of unhappiness.

we are not satisfied

Highlights the lack of fulfillment of expectations or requirements.

we are disappointed

Conveys a sense of sadness or frustration because something was not as good as expected.

we are frustrated

Expresses a feeling of annoyance and impatience caused by obstacles or difficulties.

we are aggrieved

Implies a sense of injustice or unfair treatment causing distress.

we are discontented

Indicates a lack of satisfaction with one's circumstances or situation.

we are not content

Similar to discontented, but may express a milder form of unhappiness.

we are vexed

Suggests a state of being annoyed or worried, often about trivial matters.

we are in dismay

Expresses a feeling of shock and distress.

FAQs

What does "we are unhappy" mean?

The phrase "we are unhappy" expresses a feeling of dissatisfaction, discontent, or displeasure about a particular situation, event, or outcome. It indicates that a group or collective is experiencing negative emotions due to something that has occurred or is currently happening.

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

You can use alternatives like "we are dissatisfied", "we are displeased", or "we are disappointed" depending on the context.

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

Use "we are unhappy" to express collective dissatisfaction. For example, "We are unhappy with the new policies" or "We are unhappy about the recent changes."

What is the difference between "we are unhappy" and "we are disappointed"?

"We are unhappy" is a general expression of dissatisfaction, while "we are disappointed" specifically implies that expectations were not met, leading to a feeling of sadness or frustration.