unfortunately

Thân thiện

Unfortunately, the picnic was canceled due to the sudden rain.

Definition

Adverb: 1. Used to express regret or disappointment about a situation: It introduces a statement describing an undesirable or unfavorable fact or event. - Synonymous with "sadly," "regrettably," or "alas."

Usage

• Position in a sentence: Typically used at the beginning of a sentence or clause, followed by a comma. It can also be used in the middle of a sentence, set off by commas.
• Function: It signals that the information which follows is unfortunate or disappointing from the speaker's perspective.

Examples

• At the beginning of a sentence:
  • Unfortunately, the concert has been canceled due to the storm.
  • Unfortunately, I cannot accept your invitation.
• In the middle of a sentence:
  • The event was, unfortunately, a complete failure.
  • We have to, unfortunately, postpone the meeting.

Advanced Usage

• Contrasting a positive with a negative: Often used to contrast a hopeful or positive expectation with a disappointing reality.
  • We planned a picnic. Unfortunately, it started to rain just as we arrived.
• Softening bad news: Used to politely introduce disappointing information.
  • Unfortunately, your application was not successful this time.

Variants and Related Words

• Unfortunate (adjective): Having bad luck; characterized by misfortune; unsuitable or regrettable.
  • It was an unfortunate accident.
  • He made an unfortunate remark.
• Misfortunately (adverb): A less common synonym for "unfortunately."

Synonyms

• Alas: (More formal or literary) Used to express sorrow, grief, or concern.
• Regrettably: Expressing that something is a cause for regret.
• Sadly: In a sad or regrettable manner.

Antonyms

• Fortunately: Used to express that something is good or lucky.
  • Fortunately, the damage was minimal.
• Luckily: By good luck.
  • Luckily, I had a spare key.

Notes on Meaning

• Expresses Speaker Attitude: The word "unfortunately" conveys the speaker's subjective view that a situation is bad or disappointing. The situation itself is not inherently "unfortunate"; the label comes from the speaker's judgment.
• Not for Apologies: It is used to state an unfortunate fact, not to apologize for one's own actions. (e.g., "Unfortunately, we are closed" states a fact; "I'm sorry we are closed" is an apology).

Học thuật

Adverb

1. by bad luck
   • unfortunately it rained all day
   • alas, I cannot stay

Từ đồng nghĩa

• unluckily
• regrettably
• alas