deeply discouraging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deeply discouraging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or outcome that causes significant disappointment or loss of hope. Example: "The results of the study were deeply discouraging, leading many to question the effectiveness of the proposed solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Visually dramatic though the ads were, evaluations of them were deeply discouraging.

The New York Times

In that regard, the Senate's decision to spend $10 billion on education jobs this week is revealing -- and deeply discouraging.

The Washington Post

Dealerships, auto repair shops, strip malls, and car washes, all ringed by vast parking lots, line a six-lane roadway that is deeply discouraging to navigate by foot.

MIT Technology Review

"How can 13 murder cases and kidnappings and corruption be dealt with in two days?" For Sunnis, the outcome was deeply discouraging.

The New York Times

While this was a logical premise for the campaign given the tenor of the times, a campaign focusing on customers' distaste for flying was deeply discouraging to the staff.

Harvard Business Review

Nelson Marans Silver Spring, Md., Aug. 16, 2009 • To the Editor: Re " 'Public Option' in Health Plan May Be Dropped" (front page, Aug. 17): Reports that the Obama administration is about to abandon a government-run option in reforming the American health care system are deeply discouraging to everyone except the troglodytic right.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

While Howland seemed deeply discouraged, he did not seemed crushed.

The New York Times - Sports

Not understanding the reason for the downturn, Mr. Roth was deeply discouraged by the reappearance of the Depression.

The New York Times

But Mr. Rosenfeld, at Lawrence public schools, said he was deeply discouraged by the drain that expensive treatments for a few children were imposing on other programs.

The New York Times

In the late 1980's Silicon Valley executives were deeply discouraged by Japanese semiconductor competitors, who seemed on the brink of capturing the world chip market.

The New York Times

Ms. Merkel's team was deeply discouraged by a Wall Street Journal opinion piece written by Mr. McMaster and Mr. Cohn in May that defended Mr. Trump's "America First" slogan, prioritizing the country's "vital interests" over international partnerships.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deeply discouraging" to describe situations where the outcome significantly reduces hope or enthusiasm. It implies a profound sense of letdown.

Common error

Avoid using "deeply discouraging" in everyday, minor disappointments. Save it for situations with significant emotional or practical implications to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deeply discouraging" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the extent and nature of the noun it modifies, indicating a significant degree of disappointment or discouragement. Ludwig provides examples where it modifies 'evaluations', 'statistics', 'forecast' and more, further illustrating its adjectival role.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deeply discouraging" is a valid and useful phrase for expressing significant disappointment or loss of hope. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in neutral to formal contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science. When using "deeply discouraging", it is important to reserve it for situations where the level of disappointment is truly profound, and to be aware of the various alternatives like "profoundly disappointing" or "extremely disheartening", to ensure the most appropriate nuance is conveyed. Although the source examples might not be extensive, the phrase is well-supported by authoritative sources and represents a precise and effective way to communicate substantial discouragement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Deeply disheartening

Similar to "deeply discouraging" but uses 'disheartening'.

Profoundly disappointing

Emphasizes the depth of disappointment felt.

Extremely disheartening

Highlights the loss of spirit or morale caused by the situation.

A major setback

Focuses on the hindrance or reversal of progress.

Seriously demoralizing

Focuses on the negative impact on morale and confidence.

Bitterly frustrating

Highlights a mix of disappointment and irritation.

A grave disappointment

Underscores the seriousness and importance of the letdown.

A crushing blow

Implies a forceful and overwhelming disappointment.

A cause for despair

Suggests the situation leads to hopelessness.

Roundly vexing

Emphasizes the widespread annoyance and frustration.

FAQs

How can I use "deeply discouraging" in a sentence?

Use "deeply discouraging" to describe situations or results that cause significant disappointment. For example, "The study's findings were "deeply discouraging", leading to a re-evaluation of the project's goals."

What are some alternatives to "deeply discouraging"?

You can use alternatives like "profoundly disappointing", "extremely disheartening", or "a major setback" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "deeply discouraging" in formal writing?

Yes, "deeply discouraging" is suitable for formal writing. It's often used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports to describe significantly negative outcomes or situations.

What makes "deeply discouraging" different from "slightly discouraging"?

"Deeply discouraging" implies a much stronger level of disappointment and loss of hope compared to "slightly discouraging". The former suggests a profound impact, while the latter indicates a mild setback.