disappointed for him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disappointed for him" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct expression would typically be "disappointed in him" or "disappointed for his sake." Example: "I was disappointed for him when he didn't get the job he wanted."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

"He's very disappointed obviously and we're disappointed for him," said Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac.

BBC

I'm disappointed for him.

The New York Times

We were disappointed for him.

The Guardian - Sport

Obviously we were disappointed for him at Augusta.

The New York Times - Sports

Obviously, we were disappointed for him at Augusta.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm disappointed for him," Giants Coach Jim Fassel said of Fox.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

I'm disappointed for them because they played so well".

Independent

"I'm very disappointed for them in particular," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

I'm massively disappointed for them both and I'm disappointed for all the players because we were the better team on the day".

The Guardian - Sport

A lot of the guys who were disappointed for Peter were thrilled for him.

The Guardian - Sport

"Yes, it's a bitterly disappointing result and we're disappointed for the fans.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "disappointed for him" is frequently used, consider using "disappointed in him" or "disappointed on his behalf" for grammatically correct alternatives. If you are looking for expressing empathy you can use other alternatives like "I feel bad for him" or "I feel sorry for him".

Common error

Avoid using "for" when expressing disappointment directly related to someone's actions or qualities. Opt for "in" to indicate direct disappointment. For instance, prefer "I'm disappointed in his behavior" over "I'm disappointed for his behavior."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disappointed for him" serves as an expression of sympathy or regret for someone else's unfortunate situation. Despite its common usage, Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically questionable. Instead, it is more recommended to use other alternatives that indicates disappointment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disappointed for him" is a common way to express sympathy, particularly in news and media contexts. However, Ludwig AI highlights its grammatical incorrectness. While widely understood, alternative phrases such as "disappointed in him", "sorry for his situation", or "feeling bad for him", are often more appropriate. Being mindful of these nuances ensures clearer and more precise communication, particularly in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I feel for him

A shorter form of expressing to feel sorry about other people situation

disappointed on his behalf

Replaces "for him" with "on his behalf", offering a more formal alternative.

I am saddened for his sake

Replacing "disappointed" with "saddened" emphasizes sorrow or grief for someone else's misfortune.

sorry for his situation

Uses "sorry" instead of "disappointed", focusing on empathy for the person's circumstances.

I am disheartened for him

A more formal way of expressing to feel sorry about other people situation, more likely to be used in writing than in speech.

feeling bad for him

Employs "feeling bad" to convey a sense of sympathy and concern.

I regret what happened to him

Expresses regret over the person's experience, showing sympathy.

saddened by what happened to him

Rephrases the sentiment as being saddened by the events that befell the person.

disappointed in him

Expresses disappointment directly towards the person, rather than for their situation. This alternative is grammatically correct.

pity him

A more direct way of expressing sorrow for someone's misfortune.

FAQs

Is "disappointed for him" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "disappointed for him" is considered grammatically incorrect. The standard expression is "disappointed in him" or feeling "sorry for him".

What does it mean to be 'disappointed for someone'?

It usually indicates that you feel sympathy or sorrow for someone else's unfortunate situation. However, a more grammatically sound way to express this is using the expressions like "feeling bad for him" or "saddened by what happened to him".

When should I use "disappointed in him" instead of "disappointed for him"?

Use "disappointed in him" when expressing dissatisfaction with someone's actions, qualities, or behavior. For expressing sorrow over their circumstances, consider the expressions like "disappointed on his behalf" or I "feel for him".

What are some alternative phrases to express feeling "disappointed for him"?

Alternatives include expressing that you "pity him", or saying you "regret what happened to him". These options emphasize empathy and sorrow for the person's situation.