ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unfortunately

adv. sent.
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ənˈfɔɹtʃənətɫi// UK //ʌnfˈɔːtʃənətli// un·for·tu·nate·ly General-service

adv. used to say that you are sorry about something or that a situation is unlucky. You use it when you have bad news to share.

adv. used to convey regret or to indicate that a situation is regrettable or unlucky.


SIMPLE

Unfortunately, the shop is closed today.

CONTEXTUAL

I wanted to join you for dinner, but unfortunately, I have to work late tonight.

COMPLEX

The team played exceptionally well throughout the first half; unfortunately, a series of defensive errors in the final minutes cost them the championship title.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From unfortunate + -ly or un- + fortunately.

Usage

Sentence adverb — typically placed at the beginning of a sentence followed by a comma, or after the first auxiliary verb.

Pitfall

I unfortunately cannot go.Unfortunately, I cannot go.While it can appear mid-sentence, learners often forget that as a sentence adverb, it most naturally sits at the start of the clause to set the tone.

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