how dismal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how dismal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of sadness or disappointment about a situation or event. Example: "After hearing the news about the layoffs, I couldn't help but think about how dismal the future looks for our company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Evolution: how dismal.

The Guardian - Music

Just how dismal is it?

The New York Times

How dismal all that sounds today.

The Guardian - Opinion

But no matter how dismal things are, there's no excuse for rude behavior.

The New York Times

But the self-appointed "grownups" need to understand just how dismal their own record is.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's a measure of how dismal the coalition's economic record really is.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

It will be interesting to see how this dismal jobs report, which didn't even meet economists' already very low expectations, affects the committee meeting.

The New York Times

An essay asking whether it makes sense to enforce good Samaritanship is included in the dictionary's three volumes, all devoted to explaining how the dismal science can improve the workings of the law.Early economists such as Adam Smith often wrote about the economic impact of legal matters.

The Economist

Last week we talked about how even dismal bank earnings were enough to lift the beaten-down sector.

Huffington Post

If you're unlucky enough to read this article, please take note, because the worst thing about your videos is that you obviously have absolutely no idea how excruciatingly dismal they really are.

Vice

How times change: dismal does not even scratch the surface.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how dismal" to express a strong feeling of disappointment or negativity towards a situation. It is suitable when you want to emphasize the bleakness or lack of positive prospects.

Common error

Avoid using "how dismal" in situations where the sentiment is disproportionate to the context. Overusing it can make your writing sound melodramatic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how dismal" functions as an intensifier within a relative clause, expressing a strong negative evaluation or judgment about a particular situation or condition. Ludwig AI confirms that it’s a valid and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Opinion

25%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how dismal" is used to express strong disappointment or negativity, predominantly in News & Media and Opinion contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. While versatile, consider its tone to avoid being overly dramatic. Alternatives include "how depressing" or "how bleak" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how depressing

Focuses specifically on the feeling of sadness or lowering of spirits.

how bleak

Emphasizes a lack of hope or positive prospects.

how grim

Highlights the severity and unpleasantness of a situation.

how unfortunate

Emphasizes bad luck or an undesirable outcome.

how disappointing

Focuses on the failure to meet expectations.

how regrettable

Highlights feelings of sorrow or remorse about a situation.

how disheartening

Emphasizes the loss of courage or enthusiasm.

how upsetting

Focuses on the feeling of being disturbed or distressed.

how terrible

Highlights the extreme unpleasantness or severity of something.

how dreadful

Emphasizes the causing of great fear or suffering.

FAQs

What does "how dismal" mean?

"How dismal" expresses a strong sense of sadness, disappointment, or bleakness about a situation or prospect.

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

You can use "how dismal" to emphasize the negative or hopeless nature of a situation. For instance, "Consider "how bleak" the economic outlook seems after the recent market crash."

What are some alternatives to "how dismal"?

Alternatives include "how depressing", "how bleak", or "how grim" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "how dismal" in formal writing?

While "how dismal" is generally acceptable, consider the tone and context of your writing. In some formal settings, a more neutral alternative like "how unfortunate" might be more suitable.