feel discouraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel discouraged" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of being disheartened or lacking in motivation. For example: After experiencing so many disappointments, I began to feel discouraged.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I do not feel discouraged," he added.

The New York Times - Arts

I don't want you to feel discouraged".

The New York Times

Some of Mr. Barak's supporters feel discouraged by what they see as his minimal efforts on the campaign trail.

The New York Times

Rather than feel discouraged, Nadal has trained himself to view this seemingly inconsequential point in the match as a tremendous opportunity to wrest control away from his opponent.

The New York Times

Some navigators said it was hard not to feel discouraged, especially when their clients, locked out by the website, went home upset.

The New York Times

The unemployed partner begins to feel discouraged and withdraws, no longer sharing what he or she is doing to find work.

The New York Times

You start to feel discouraged and to doubt your abilities.

Science Magazine

Consistently demonstrating lower perceived performance than their peers, the less-able students feel discouraged and frustrated, hardly having the same opportunity for owning the sense of achievement as the more-able students.

Computers & Education

We can't leave half the potential workforce behind by continuing to let girls and women feel discouraged from choosing cybersecurity careers.

TechCrunch

"I do feel discouraged, yeah.

Huffington Post

To this day, many people with disabilities feel discouraged to follow a religious lifestyle.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feel discouraged", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. It's a general term, so think about whether a more precise word like "disheartened", "demoralized", or "dispirited" might better capture the intended emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "feel discouraged" as a catch-all term for every negative emotion. Instead, analyze the specific situation and choose a more precise adjective that reflects the particular shade of sadness, frustration, or disappointment. This will make your writing more impactful and nuanced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel discouraged" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of the subject. It indicates a subjective emotional experience, expressing a sense of diminished enthusiasm or motivation. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in a wide variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

26%

Huffington Post

20%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

5%

The Guardian

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel discouraged" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a sense of diminished motivation or enthusiasm. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's frequently found in News & Media and Wiki, suggesting a wide applicability across different contexts. While "feel discouraged" is versatile, consider more precise alternatives like "disheartened" or "dispirited" for nuanced writing. Remember that overuse may dilute impact. Use the best practices and be mindful of overusing it, and this phrase can effectively convey feelings of disappointment or frustration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel disheartened

Focuses on the loss of spirit or enthusiasm, suggesting a temporary setback.

lose heart

Emphasizes the loss of courage or hope, often due to difficulties.

be demoralized

Highlights a reduction in morale and confidence, especially in a group setting.

get dejected

Suggests a state of sadness and hopelessness due to disappointment.

be dispirited

Indicates a loss of enthusiasm and energy, often due to negative experiences.

feel pessimistic

Focuses on a negative outlook and a belief that things will go wrong.

lose motivation

Highlights the absence of drive or incentive to pursue goals.

become disillusioned

Emphasizes a loss of faith or trust in something previously admired.

feel defeated

Suggests a sense of having lost or failed, leading to resignation.

becrestfallen

Focuses on sadness and disappointment, often expressed through appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "feel discouraged" in a sentence?

You can use "feel discouraged" to describe a state of losing motivation or enthusiasm due to setbacks. For example, "After several rejections, I began to "feel discouraged" about my job search."

What are some alternatives to "feel discouraged"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "feel disheartened", "lose heart", or "become disillusioned" to express similar sentiments.

Is it better to say "feel discouraged" or "be discouraged"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "feel discouraged" emphasizes the subjective experience of discouragement, while "be discouraged" can imply an external cause. The choice depends on the intended focus.

What's the difference between "feel discouraged" and "feel disappointed"?

"Feel discouraged" implies a loss of motivation or hope, often due to repeated setbacks. "Feel disappointed" describes sadness or dissatisfaction because something did not meet expectations. You might "feel disappointed" by a single event, but "feel discouraged" by a series of failures.