i felt dismayed

USAGE SUMMARY

"I felt dismayed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to express a feeling of disappointment, shock, or sadness in a particular situation or event. Example: "After receiving the news of failing my exam, I felt dismayed and frustrated. I had studied hard and was expecting a better result."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I felt dismayed at many people's perception of the illness," she says.

The Guardian - Film

But like Jack Monroe (Being trans isn't a phase you go through, 20 May), I felt dismayed as I lost my prepubescent body.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When I got to "Death Comes for the Archbishop," the 1927 novel that Cather considered her best, I felt dismayed that I had lived without it for so long.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

When I lie in bed at night, I feel dismayed by poverty and marginalization.

Huffington Post

When I saw the tattoo, I felt dismay, and I felt it sharply.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then, and still more today, I felt dismay at this blindness, and the thought of how poorly my country had come to terms with its imperial past.

Independent

At first I felt dismay that I had not managed to remove the evidence of my ineptitude — then, relief that I was not the only one to have so violently disposed of a perfectly good A.C. I've spent the last week keeping to the outer edges of sidewalks, anxiously eyeing the A.C. units in the windows above.

The New York Times

During the closing months of World War II, Eric Sevareid, the CBS radio correspondent, felt dismayed at how inadequate his broadcasts had been in conveying the experience of war.

The New York Times - Arts

Naturally, he became emotionally invested in the work, making it difficult to cede control, and, like the British colonel in "The Bridge on the River Kwai," he forgot that what he was building didn't belong to him, and, consequently, felt dismayed at its destruction.

The New Yorker

Narrator B felt dismayed by the findings of a national report on CFL in schools (Orton 2008) which had highlighted the alarming 96%% drop-out rate from CFL studies before the final year of secondary school.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Olive McIlroy and Elaine Holmes - who had both suffered complications as a result of the surgery - quit the review group earlier this year, saying they felt "dismayed and disgusted" at the publication of the independent report.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I felt dismayed" to express a personal sense of disappointment or shock in response to a specific event or situation. Ensure the context clearly indicates what caused this feeling.

Common error

While "I felt dismayed" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in formal or professional writing. Opt for stronger, more specific verbs to convey the emotion with greater impact. For example, instead of “I felt dismayed by the results”, consider “The results disappointed me” or “I was disheartened by the findings”.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I felt dismayed" functions as a statement expressing a personal emotional reaction. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used to convey feelings of disappointment or shock.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I felt dismayed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to articulate a personal sense of disappointment, shock, or sadness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a straightforward way to express your reaction to an event or news. While suitable for various contexts, consider stronger alternatives in formal writing for greater impact. Common errors include overuse in professional settings, where more direct and specific verbs might be more effective. When communicating this sentiment, consider the specific context and the degree of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I felt disappointed

Expresses a sense of unmet expectations and sadness.

I felt disheartened

Indicates a loss of enthusiasm or hope.

I felt saddened

Conveys a sense of sorrow or unhappiness.

I felt concerned

Highlights a sense of worry or unease.

I felt alarmed

Implies a sense of sudden fear or anxiety.

I felt upset

Suggests a state of emotional distress or irritation.

I felt disturbed

Indicates a feeling of unease or disruption.

I felt worried

Emphasizes a state of anxiety or concern.

I felt apprehensive

Expresses a feeling of anxiety about the future.

I felt discouraged

Suggests a loss of motivation or confidence.

FAQs

What does "I felt dismayed" mean?

The phrase "I felt dismayed" expresses a feeling of disappointment, shock, or sadness, often when something unexpected or unpleasant occurs. It indicates a personal emotional response to a situation.

What can I say instead of "I felt dismayed"?

You can use alternatives like "I felt disappointed", "I felt saddened", or "I felt concerned" depending on the context. These phrases convey similar feelings of negativity or unease.

Is "I felt dismayed" formal or informal?

"I felt dismayed" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, stronger or more precise verbs might be preferred for clarity and impact, so always think about the register required by the medium.

How to use "I felt dismayed" in a sentence?

You can use "I felt dismayed" to describe your reaction to an event or news. For example, "After hearing the news, I felt dismayed by the lack of progress" or "When I saw the damage, I felt dismayed by the extent of the destruction."