what a misfortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a misfortune" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disappointment or sympathy regarding an unfortunate event or situation. Example: "When I heard about the cancellation of the concert, I thought to myself, what a misfortune for all the fans who were looking forward to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For the first, she borrowed from Kierkegaard: "What a misfortune to be a woman!

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I have seen what a great misfortune it is to be a child of rape," she said.

The Guardian

"She looked at me with bitter compassion as one might look at a little cripple boy, because she alone knew what a family ours was for misfortunes".

The New York Times - Books

He drops back to +1, but what a response to that stroke of misfortune.

The Guardian - Sport

O, what terrible misfortune.

The New Yorker

By what appalling misfortune has that hunger been allowed to fester and left to non-state agencies to deal with?

The Guardian - Opinion

That could be a misfortune.

The New York Times

"A misfortune has befallen you.

The Guardian - Music

It was a misfortune, not a crime.

The Guardian - Sport

It wasn't much of a misfortune.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it is a misfortune, not a disaster.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a misfortune" to express genuine empathy or disappointment when something unfavorable occurs. It adds a touch of formality and sincerity to your response.

Common error

Avoid using "what a misfortune" in overly casual conversations or situations where a simpler expression like "that's too bad" would be more appropriate. Overuse can make your speech sound unnatural or affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a misfortune" functions primarily as an exclamatory expression. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to convey disappointment or sympathy regarding an unfortunate event or situation. It's a direct way to acknowledge and express regret over something unfavorable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what a misfortune" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey empathy, regret, or disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for expressing sympathy in response to unfortunate events. While versatile, it's best reserved for contexts where a touch of formality and sincerity are appropriate, avoiding overuse in overly casual settings. Alternatives like "what a pity" or "how unfortunate" offer similar sentiments with slight variations in tone. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, suggesting its use in reporting and discussing unfortunate events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a pity

A more mild and common expression of regret.

what a shame

Similar to "what a pity" but can also imply a sense of moral failing or waste.

that's a shame

An alternative of 'what a shame' but slightly less intense

how unfortunate

A more formal way of expressing regret or disappointment.

it's unfortunate

A simple and direct expression of regret.

what bad luck

Emphasizes the element of chance or luck in the unfortunate situation.

that's too bad

A common and versatile expression of sympathy.

what a disappointment

Directly expresses disappointment in the outcome.

it's regrettable

A more formal and subdued expression of regret.

it's a crying shame

Emphasizes the depth of regret or disappointment.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "what a misfortune"?

You can use alternatives like "what a pity", "how unfortunate", or "that's too bad" depending on the context.

How do I use "what a misfortune" in a sentence?

"What a misfortune" is typically used as an exclamation expressing disappointment or sympathy. For example, "What a misfortune that the event was cancelled."

Is "what a misfortune" formal or informal?

"What a misfortune" is considered somewhat formal. In very casual settings, simpler phrases like "that's too bad" might be more suitable.

When is it appropriate to use "what a misfortune"?

It's appropriate to use "what a misfortune" when you want to express genuine sympathy or disappointment in a situation that has an element of seriousness or formality. It's less common in extremely casual conversation.