a significant disappointment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant disappointment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something has not met expectations to a considerable degree. Example: "The movie was a significant disappointment, failing to capture the essence of the book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Brosius, who was a significant disappointment in 2000, is signed through the 2001 season.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is a significant disappointment," he said, "but there's still a lot to be optimistic about".

The New York Times

Accordingly, Mrs. Johnson said, "The collapse in the provision of Medicaid benefits to eligible children has been a significant disappointment".

The New York Times

Failure to advance would represent a significant disappointment, though the club put the cost of this eventuality at only £5m.

The Guardian - Sport

Overall, though, there is no doubt Van Gaal's signings have, for the most part, been a significant disappointment.

The Guardian - Sport

Viewed in this context, the film's £466,000 UK opening from 338 cinemas is a significant disappointment.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It is good for the attendance figures too, a point which raises the one significant disappointment of this year's Royal meeting, as it managed to lose 10,000 from the crowd figure on both Thursday and Friday.

The Guardian - Sport

"I mean, Bill Macy! Did you see him in 'Seabiscuit'?" Rickles's career as an actor probably constitutes the one significant disappointment of his professional life.

The New Yorker

"There's significant disappointment that there's no thoughts of a dividend," he said.

The New York Times

Gonzalez Is More Valuable If Johnny Damon is considered the most significant disappointment of the first half of the season, Luis Gonzalez of Arizona is the most significant surprise.

The New York Times - Sports

For Picard, the decision was a welcome development after a series of significant disappointments.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant disappointment", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the expectations were and why they were not met. This provides a clearer understanding of the disappointment's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant disappointment" when a milder term would be more appropriate. Overstating the level of disappointment can dilute its impact when genuinely significant situations arise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant disappointment" functions as a noun phrase. It describes a particular event, outcome, or situation that has caused a notable level of dissatisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms this expression as usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant disappointment" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase used to express a notable failure to meet expectations. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is usable in written English. It is frequently found in news articles, scientific papers, and business reports, and maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "a major letdown" or "a substantial disappointment" exist, "a significant disappointment" clearly conveys a substantial degree of dissatisfaction. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides clarity on what expectations were unmet to fully convey the disappointment's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major letdown

Emphasizes the feeling of being let down to a considerable extent.

a considerable letdown

Highlights the substantial degree to which expectations were not met.

a substantial disappointment

Indicates that the disappointment is large in scope or impact.

a marked disappointment

Stresses that the disappointment is noticeable and distinct.

a profound disappointment

Conveys a deep and intense sense of disappointment.

a striking disappointment

Highlights the surprising and noticeable nature of the disappointment.

a notable failure

Focuses on the aspect of failing to achieve a desired outcome.

a considerable setback

Emphasizes the negative impact and hindrance caused by the disappointment.

a significant setback

Highlights the important/noteworthy nature of the setback.

a source of great frustration

Shifts the focus to the feeling of frustration resulting from the disappointment.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant disappointment" in a sentence?

You can use "a significant disappointment" to express that something has not met expectations to a considerable degree. For example: "The film's box office performance was "a significant disappointment"."

What are some alternatives to "a significant disappointment"?

Alternatives include "a major letdown", "a considerable disappointment", or "a substantial disappointment", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a significant disappointment"?

Use "a significant disappointment" when you want to emphasize that something fell considerably short of expectations and had a noticeable negative impact. It is suitable when the disappointment is more than just minor.

What is the difference between "a disappointment" and "a significant disappointment"?

"A disappointment" simply indicates that something did not meet expectations. "A significant disappointment" emphasizes that the failure to meet expectations was substantial or noteworthy.