dismayed to find

USAGE SUMMARY

"dismayed to find" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing disappointment or shock upon discovering something unexpected. Example: "She was dismayed to find that her application had been rejected." Alternative expressions include "shocked to discover" and "disappointed to learn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Jonathan is dismayed to find himself assigned to the 118th precinct in Astoria, Queens, where he grew up in a public housing development with his grandmother.

The New York Times

The following morning, Q is dismayed to find Margo gone.

The Guardian - Film

Though dismayed to find that the unique vase was not, he bought it.

The New York Times

Many of them seemed dismayed to find that the campsite lay right beside the highway.

The New Yorker

Being from Barcelona, I'm dismayed to find New York-style hipster aesthetics taking over there, too.

The Guardian

The man was dismayed to find himself excluded from board meetings and strategic planning.

The New York Times

Her husband doesn't actually like bananas, we're slightly dismayed to find.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Many beginners at charting are dismayed to find that there do not seem to be any stock chart indicators that even come close to consistently identifying future winners.

Forbes

Arriving home, I was dismayed to find the Giants three runs behind in the ninth inning.

Los Angeles Times

I was rather dismayed to find words put into my mouth in Ashee Vance's story http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/05/technology/05soft.html?pagewanted=all.

TechCrunch

They are both dismayed to find out that it is actually a musical, and express their distaste for such films.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dismayed to find", consider the emotional intensity you want to convey. While it indicates disappointment, alternatives like "shocked" or "appalled" might be more appropriate for stronger reactions.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "dismayed to find" as your go-to phrase for expressing disappointment. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "disappointed to discover" or "surprised to learn" for greater impact and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dismayed to find" functions as an introductory infinitive phrase, modifying the main clause and expressing the subject's emotional reaction upon discovering something unexpected. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates a sense of disappointment or shock.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dismayed to find" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express disappointment or surprise upon discovering something unexpected. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and suggests alternatives like "disappointed to discover" or "surprised to learn". While widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, it's important to avoid overuse and consider the emotional intensity you wish to convey. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "dismayed to find" into your writing to communicate nuanced emotional responses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much to my dismay

Emphasizes the feeling of dismay as a result of the discovery.

disappointed to discover

Focuses more on the feeling of disappointment rather than initial shock.

surprised to learn

Emphasizes the element of surprise upon finding out information.

chagrined to realize

Implies a feeling of embarrassment or humiliation upon realizing something.

taken aback to see

Highlights the unexpected nature of the discovery.

saddened to observe

Emphasizes a feeling of sadness upon observing a situation.

to my consternation

Conveys a feeling of anxiety or dismay, often due to something unexpected.

regretfully noticed

Conveys a sense of regret associated with the observation.

unpleasantly surprised to see

Directly states the unpleasantness and surprise.

to my great disappointment

Formal way to express strong disappointment.

FAQs

How can I use "dismayed to find" in a sentence?

"Dismayed to find" is used to express disappointment or surprise upon discovering something. For example, "She was "dismayed to find" that her application had been rejected."

What are some alternatives to "dismayed to find"?

You can use alternatives like "disappointed to discover", "surprised to learn", or "much to my dismay" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "dismayed to find" or "disappointed to find"?

Both "dismayed to find" and "disappointed to find" are correct, but "dismayed" suggests a stronger sense of shock or distress than simply "disappointed". Choose the word that best fits the intensity of the emotion you want to convey.

What does "dismayed to find" imply about the speaker's expectations?

"Dismayed to find" suggests that the speaker had different expectations or hopes before discovering the situation. It implies a contrast between what was anticipated and what was actually found.