but disappointingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but disappointingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of disappointment or dissatisfaction regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "The movie had great potential, but disappointingly, it failed to deliver a compelling storyline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A cup of coffee was suggested, but disappointingly, no cake.

The Guardian - Books

But, "disappointingly for the paper's feminist critics, that won't happen".

The Guardian

But, disappointingly, the measure still leaves New York State without certain protections to avoid wrongful convictions.

The New York Times

But disappointingly, there's no Matilda effect – they don't move rooms when my eyes command them to.

Independent

Governments around the world make their data available through platforms but, disappointingly, the use of this data is lagging behind.

Government Information Quarterly

You even see the odd typewriter, but disappointingly, you can't interact with them.

The Guardian - Tech

Sure enough, the mountain scenery was striking, but disappointingly crammed with concrete hotels.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Desserts, such as a frozen chocolate and orange terrine, were ambitious but disappointingly bland.

The New York Times - Travel

The whole mood, frankly, is pretentious and undancerly — not infuriatingly so but disappointingly.

The New York Times - Arts

But disappointingly, when St-Pierre storts to delve deeper, the show abruptly loses power.

The Guardian

Intensive fostering is commended in the plan but disappointingly remains underfunded.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but disappointingly" to introduce a contrasting point that diminishes the initial positive statement. This adds nuance and honesty to your writing.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "but disappointingly". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and prevent the writing from sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but disappointingly" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to connect two contrasting ideas while also expressing a sense of disappointment or regret about the second idea. Ludwig's examples show it frequently used to soften a negative outcome following a more positive initial statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but disappointingly" is a commonly used conjunctive phrase that effectively expresses contrast and disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used in various writing contexts, especially in news and media. While highly versatile, it is advisable to avoid overuse for stylistic reasons, as noted in the writing guidance. Alternatives such as "unfortunately" or "sadly" can provide similar meaning while diversifying your prose. The phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for formal and informal communications, rendering it a valuable tool for expressing nuanced sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunately

A simpler and more direct way to express disappointment.

however, regrettably

Emphasizes the regretful aspect of the situation more directly.

sadly

Highlights the sorrowful aspect of the situation.

it's regrettable that

Similar to 'unfortunately' but slightly more formal.

much to my disappointment

A more emphatic version of expressing personal disappointment.

it's a shame that

Emphasizes the unfortunate aspect of the situation.

it is a pity that

Focuses on the regrettable nature of the situation.

to my dismay

Emphasizes the speaker's personal disappointment.

to one's chagrin

Indicates disappointment combined with annoyance or embarrassment.

alas

An archaic expression of sorrow or regret.

FAQs

How can I use "but disappointingly" in a sentence?

You can use "but disappointingly" to introduce a contrasting fact or outcome that is less favorable than what was previously stated. For instance, "The team played well, but disappointingly, they lost in the final moments".

What's a synonym for "but disappointingly"?

Alternatives include "unfortunately", "sadly", or "regrettably". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but disappointingly"?

Yes, it is grammatically acceptable to start a sentence with "but disappointingly", as "but" is a coordinating conjunction that can begin a sentence. The addition of 'disappointingly' simply adds further nuance to the statement.

How does "but disappointingly" differ from simply using "but"?

"But" introduces a contrast, while "but disappointingly" adds an element of regret or dissatisfaction to that contrast. It highlights not just the difference, but also the speaker's negative feelings about it.