disappointing results

USAGE SUMMARY

'disappointing results' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in the context of describing a situation where the results of a study, experiment, test, or some other kind of work were not what was expected. For example, "The scientists were disappointed when their experiments yielded disappointing results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"These are clearly disappointing results.

The Guardian - Business

"We had three disappointing results – Everton, Naples and Man City.

The Guardian - Sport

Some retailers -- mostly those specializing in clothing -- reported disappointing results.

The New York Times

Chrysler's new Jeep Liberty, continues to show disappointing results.

The New York Times

The decision follows disappointing results in the negotiations.

The New York Times

It also told of disappointing results in its overseas business.

The New York Times

BP's disappointing results were far from unique in the industry.

The New York Times

Previous tests on HIV antibodies had produced disappointing results.

Independent

It was the third consecutive month of disappointing results.

The New York Times

Premier Oil lost 146p to £19.94 after it abandoned a North Sea well following disappointing results.

The Guardian - Business

Disappointing results meant a demotion in the internal hierarchy, Savchuk said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research or experimental findings, use "disappointing results" to objectively convey that the outcomes did not align with the initial hypothesis or expectations.

Common error

Avoid using emotionally charged language when presenting "disappointing results". Maintain a neutral tone and focus on the objective data and implications rather than expressing excessive personal frustration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disappointing results" functions primarily as a descriptor, modifying a noun (results) to indicate that the outcomes were not as positive or successful as hoped. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disappointing results" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe outcomes that have fallen short of expectations. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, it conveys that the outcomes were not as positive or successful as hoped across contexts like News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, maintain a neutral tone to objectively present the data, and consider alternatives like "unsatisfactory outcomes" or "underwhelming results" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsatisfactory outcomes

Replaces "results" with a synonym and uses a synonym for "disappointing", maintains a similar level of formality.

poor performance

Focuses on the aspect of performance being subpar, which can lead to disappointing results.

subpar outcomes

Subpar is used in place of disappointing.

failed expectations

Highlights the failure to meet anticipated outcomes, which can lead to disappointment.

underwhelming results

Replaces "disappointing" with "underwhelming", emphasizing the lack of excitement or satisfaction.

lackluster performance

Focuses on the performance being uninspired or weak, leading to disappointing outcomes.

unfruitful efforts

Emphasizes the lack of positive outcomes from efforts made.

abortive attempts

Implies that the efforts did not come to a successful conclusion, resulting in disappointment.

adverse consequences

Focuses on the negative consequences that arose, which may be unexpected and disappointing.

negative repercussions

Highlights the negative impact of results, leading to disappointment.

FAQs

How can I use "disappointing results" in a sentence?

You can use "disappointing results" to describe outcomes that did not meet expectations. For instance, "The company's marketing campaign yielded "disappointing results", failing to increase sales as projected."

What are some alternatives to "disappointing results"?

Alternatives include "unsatisfactory outcomes", "poor performance", or "underwhelming results" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "disappointing results" in formal writing?

Yes, "disappointing results" is suitable for formal writing. It is a neutral and professional way to describe outcomes that did not meet expectations in academic, business, and scientific contexts.

What's the difference between "disappointing results" and "unexpected results"?

"Disappointing results" implies that the outcomes were undesirable or did not meet expectations. "Unexpected results", on the other hand, simply means that the outcomes were not predicted, without necessarily being negative. "Unexpected results" can be either positive or negative, while "disappointing results" are inherently negative.