disheartened about

USAGE SUMMARY

"disheartened about" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of discouragement or disappointment about something. Example: The disheartened student was about to give up on his dream of becoming a doctor.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I was totally disheartened about human beings.

The Guardian

Cue Card's followers, already disheartened about the demands on his unproven stamina, despaired as he all but fell at the first.

Independent

"We are deeply disheartened about the unprecedented events taking place in the UK at the moment and which have impacted communities across the country," he said.

The Guardian

Some fact-check organizations could be forgiven if they get disheartened about the value of their work — but not just because Mr. Rove has little use for them.

The New York Times

"If you finish a golf tournament 21 under par and you lose, I don't think you can be too disheartened about it".

The Guardian - Sport

"We are not too disheartened about our position because three points can still change the picture completely but I can't keep pointing to the stats because stats don't win games.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It implies something disheartening about our culture..

The New York Times

There's something disheartening about a cold woodstove, so Verlyn Klinkenborg lights his despite the mild weather.

The New York Times

Still, there's something disheartening about a cold woodstove, as if it were a conduit for cold air and bad spirits.

The New York Times

What is particularly disheartening about much current political discourse is the failure of politicians to admit that there will be costs and disadvantages to their policies.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Among the many things that are disheartening about the current political environment," Sachs said, "is the attempt to silence women and have them revert to their voiceless places in the sewing circles of the past.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disheartened about" to express a feeling of disappointment or discouragement regarding a specific situation, event, or person. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the disheartened feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "disheartened about" for minor inconveniences or trivial matters. The phrase carries a certain weight, so reserve it for situations that genuinely cause significant disappointment or loss of enthusiasm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disheartened about" functions primarily as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of disappointment or discouragement. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disheartened about" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for expressing feelings of disappointment or discouragement concerning something specific, as affirmed by Ludwig. While not extremely common, it appears in reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, often in news and media contexts. Remember to use it when you want to convey a genuine sense of letdown regarding a particular situation, avoiding overuse in trivial cases. Alternatives such as "disappointed by" or "discouraged by" can be used for slight variations in meaning. Ludwig's examples provide a solid foundation for understanding its appropriate usage and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disappointed by

Focuses more on the feeling of unmet expectations rather than a loss of enthusiasm.

discouraged by

Highlights a decrease in motivation or confidence due to something.

disillusioned with

Reflects a loss of faith or belief in something previously held dear.

dejected regarding

Implies a stronger sense of sadness and hopelessness.

despondent over

Suggests a deep and prolonged state of low spirits.

crestfallen about

Indicates a sudden and marked disappointment.

downcast concerning

Emphasizes a subdued and gloomy mood.

pessimistic about

Highlights a negative outlook or expectation for the future.

bitter about

Conveys a sense of resentment and anger alongside disappointment.

apprehensive regarding

Focuses on anxiety and worry about potential negative outcomes, not necessarily a current feeling of disappointment.

FAQs

How can I use "disheartened about" in a sentence?

You can use "disheartened about" to express disappointment or discouragement regarding a specific situation or person. For instance, "I was "disheartened about" the low turnout at the meeting" or "She felt "disheartened about" his lack of support".

What's a good alternative to "disheartened about"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "disappointed by", "discouraged by", or "pessimistic about".

Is it more appropriate to say "disheartened by" or "disheartened about"?

Both "disheartened by" and "disheartened about" are correct, but they carry slightly different nuances. "Disheartened by" often refers to a direct cause, while "disheartened about" can refer to a broader topic or situation. Consider the specific meaning you wish to convey.

When is it best to use "disheartened about" rather than simply "sad"?

"Disheartened about" implies a specific cause for the sadness, often related to a loss of hope or enthusiasm. "Sad" is a more general emotion. Use "disheartened about" when you want to highlight the specific reason for the disappointment.