but disappointingly real

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but disappointingly real" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of letdown or dissatisfaction with something that is genuine or authentic. Example: "The movie was entertaining, but disappointingly real, reflecting the harsh truths of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But disappointingly there has been no real controversy  either from the panel of experts or the startups.

TechCrunch

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

The Guardian - Books

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

The New York Times

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

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

Government Information Quarterly

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

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but disappointingly real" to introduce a contrast where something's authenticity or genuineness doesn't equate to quality or satisfaction. It's effective in reviews or critiques.

Common error

Avoid using "but disappointingly real" when you simply want to express disappointment. The phrase specifically highlights disappointment stemming from something's authenticity, not general dissatisfaction.

Linguistic Context

Conjunction phrase to introduce a contrasting element; connects an expectation or hope with the reality that, while genuine, is underwhelming. As seen on Ludwig, it implies a deviation from desired or anticipated positive outcomes despite authenticity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Food

17%

Arts

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but disappointingly real" serves to highlight a contrast between expectation and reality, specifically when something's authenticity or genuineness doesn't equate to satisfaction. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness but infrequent usage, primarily within news and media contexts. When writing, this phrase is most effective in reviews or critiques to express dissatisfaction despite factual accuracy. Alternatives like "sadly authentic" or "regrettably genuine" can provide similar nuance. Understanding its specific context is crucial to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Disappointingly, it's actually genuine

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the disappointment first.

It's genuine, but that's the letdown

Focuses on the genuineness being the source of disappointment.

The reality is disappointingly authentic

Emphasizes the disappointing nature of an authentic reality.

Unfortunately, it's genuine

Expresses regret about the authenticity of something.

The genuine nature is, unfortunately, a letdown

Highlights the unfortunate aspect of something genuine.

Regrettably, it's authentic

Similar to the original phrase, but using "regrettably" to emphasize the disappointment.

It is authentic, however, it disappoints

A more formal phrasing to convey the disappointment.

Sadly, it's the genuine article

Highlights the sadness in the authenticity.

Though real, it fails to impress

Simple expression of realness not being impressive.

Genuineness does not compensate for its flaws

Focuses on how even the genuine nature cannot make up for the shortcomings.

FAQs

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

You can use "but disappointingly real" to express that something is genuine or authentic, yet it still results in disappointment. For example, "The historical drama aimed for accuracy, but was "but disappointingly real", failing to capture the grandeur of the era".

What are some alternatives to "but disappointingly real"?

Alternatives to "but disappointingly real" include phrases like "sadly authentic", "regrettably genuine", or "unfortunately true", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

In what context is it appropriate to use "but disappointingly real"?

It's appropriate to use "but disappointingly real" when you want to emphasize the contrast between something being genuine and still being a letdown. This is often used in critiques, reviews, or discussions where authenticity doesn't equate to quality or satisfaction.

What is the difference between "but disappointingly real" and "but realistically disappointing"?

"But disappointingly real" emphasizes the disappointment stemming directly from the authenticity or genuineness of something, while "but realistically disappointing" highlights that something is disappointing because it aligns with real-world expectations or limitations. The focus shifts from authenticity to realism as the cause of disappointment.