how disappointing

USAGE SUMMARY

"how disappointing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
Here are three examples of when you can use it: 1. As a standalone exclamation expressing disappointment: "How disappointing! I was really looking forward to that movie." 2. As an introductory phrase to a sentence expressing disappointment: "How disappointing it was to see my team lose the championship game." 3. As a response to someone else's disappointing news: Person 1: "I didn't get the job I applied for." Person 2: "How disappointing. I thought you had a good chance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And how disappointing?

The New York Times

How disappointing, how sad.

The Guardian

'How disappointing,' I remarked".

The New Yorker

"Oh, my God, how disappointing," she murmured.

The New York Times

When he demurred, she reportedly exclaimed, "How disappointing!

The New Yorker

"You can imagine how disappointing this was for us".

The New York Times - Food

"Words can't describe how disappointing it is for me.

The Guardian

He is refreshingly upfront about how disappointing this was.

The Guardian - Film

Nobody could dispute how disappointing the season was.

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't want to underemphasize how disappointing it's been".

The New York Times

But it was still hard to forget how disappointing his tenure as governor was.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how disappointing" to express a feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction about an outcome or situation. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the disappointment.

Common error

While "how disappointing" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in extremely formal documents or professional communications where a more nuanced or sophisticated expression might be more appropriate. Instead, opt for phrases like "it is regrettable" or "it is unfortunate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how disappointing" primarily functions as an exclamatory expression of disappointment. As shown by Ludwig, it often introduces a statement of regret or dissatisfaction. It's frequently used to express a negative reaction to an unfavorable outcome or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how disappointing" is a commonly used phrase to express feelings of regret or dissatisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across varied contexts, predominantly in news and media. While suitable for general use, it may be less appropriate in highly formal settings where more sophisticated language is preferred. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the cause of the disappointment. Alternatives like "what a shame" or "that's too bad" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a letdown

Emphasizes the feeling of being let down after expecting something positive.

how unfortunate

Highlights the bad luck or unfavorable circumstances leading to disappointment.

what a shame

Indicates regret and disappointment over something undesirable.

that's too bad

A mild expression of sympathy and disappointment.

it's a pity

Expresses regret and disappointment about a situation.

how upsetting

Emphasizes the emotional distress caused by the disappointment.

it's regrettable

Formally expresses that something is unfortunate and disappointing.

that's discouraging

Focuses on the loss of hope or motivation due to disappointment.

that's disheartening

Highlights the loss of spirit or enthusiasm due to disappointment.

it's frustrating

Focuses on the annoyance and irritation caused by the disappointment.

FAQs

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

You can use "how disappointing" as a standalone exclamation, such as "How disappointing! The event was canceled". Alternatively, you can use it as an introductory phrase, like "How disappointing it is that we couldn't attend".

What are some alternatives to "how disappointing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "what a shame", "that's too bad", or "how unfortunate".

Is "how disappointing" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "how disappointing" might be perceived as less formal. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "it is regrettable" or "it is unfortunate" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "how disappointing" and "that's disappointing"?

"How disappointing" is often used as an exclamation to express a strong feeling of disappointment. "That's disappointing" is a more declarative statement, simply stating that something is disappointing. The former carries a slightly stronger emotional weight.