dismayed at how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dismayed at how" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing disappointment or concern about a particular situation or outcome. Example: "I was dismayed at how quickly the project fell behind schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Boarders were dismayed at how I referred to the loo as a 'toilet'toilet

Independent

I've always been really dismayed at how female C.I.A. officers were portrayed in fiction.

The New York Times - Magazine

Here in Istanbul, at Fenerbahce's offices, they are dismayed at how Kanter handled the whole situation.

The New York Times - Sports

Dismayed at how numb I had become to their vulnerability, I again withdrew into physical isolation.

The New Yorker

More than one question came from supporters dismayed at how fast he had fallen from the top.

The New York Times

When her best friend came to see the show in Chicago, Gevinson was dismayed at how quiet she was afterwards.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Some of their gains can be put down to voters' dismay at how the two main parties squibbed on taking action against climate change.

The Economist

For months, Mr. Dodd has been leading closed-door negotiations over a bill to overhaul the nation's financial regulations, and on Thursday he expressed dismay at how long the process was taking.

The New York Times

Plenty of Appleholics have expressed dismay at how little the handset has changed.

The New York Times - Tech

Even religiously motivated terrorists crack in dismay at how much the interrogator already knows.

The New York Times

In fact, some patients expressed dismay at how the drugs were used.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dismayed at how", ensure that the subject expressing dismay is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The audience was dismayed at how the play ended."

Common error

Avoid using "dismayed at how" with inanimate subjects that cannot experience emotions. Instead of saying "The report was dismayed at how...", rephrase to indicate who felt the dismay: "The authors of the report were dismayed at how..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dismayed at how" functions as an adjectival phrase, where "dismayed" is an adjective modifying an implied subject, and "at how" introduces a prepositional phrase that explains the cause of the dismay. Ludwig AI confirms this is a usable construction in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dismayed at how" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey disappointment or concern regarding a particular situation or outcome. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears frequently in news media, academic writing, and general discourse. Alternatives such as "disappointed in how" or "concerned about how" can be used to express similar sentiments. When using "dismayed at how", ensure the subject is clearly identified and avoid using it with inanimate objects. While the phrase is versatile, its negative connotation should be considered for the desired tone. Ultimately, "dismayed at how" offers a potent tool for expressing negative reactions to events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disappointed in how

Replaces "dismayed" with "disappointed", focusing on a feeling of letdown rather than shock.

concerned about how

Shifts the focus to worry or anxiety about the manner in which something is happening.

appalled by how

Uses a stronger term, "appalled", to indicate a sense of disgust or outrage.

shocked at the way

Emphasizes surprise and disbelief at the manner in which something occurred.

saddened by how

Focuses on the emotional impact of feeling sorrowful regarding the unfolding of events.

taken aback by how

Highlights the element of surprise or unexpectedness.

distressed by how

Conveys a sense of suffering or anxiety.

disheartened by the way

Indicates a loss of spirit or enthusiasm.

frustrated with how

Emphasizes a feeling of annoyance and impatience.

discouraged by the manner in which

Focuses on a loss of confidence or hope due to the way something is done.

FAQs

How can I use "dismayed at how" in a sentence?

You can use "dismayed at how" to express disappointment or concern about the manner in which something is done or the outcome of a situation. For example: "I was "dismayed at how" little progress we had made."

What are some alternatives to "dismayed at how"?

Alternatives to "dismayed at how" include "disappointed in how", "concerned about how", or "appalled by how", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "dismayed by how" instead of "dismayed at how"?

While "dismayed at how" is more common, "dismayed by how" could also be used. However, "dismayed at how" is generally preferred for its emphasis on the manner or method involved.

What's the difference between "dismayed at how" and "surprised at how"?

"Dismayed at how" indicates disappointment or concern, while "surprised at how" simply indicates astonishment or unexpectedness. Dismay carries a negative connotation of disappointment that surprise does not.