i was crestfallen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was crestfallen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express feelings of disappointment or sadness after an unexpected setback or failure. Example: "After hearing the news of my job application rejection, I was crestfallen and struggled to find motivation for the rest of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

She now tells me I was crestfallen.

The New York Times - Health

Foster I was crestfallen that it didn't work out originally.

The New York Times

I was crestfallen, but he has a point.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Along the way, I was crestfallen to discover that about 10 percent of the tapes had stretches of garbled video.

The New York Times - Tech

As a government lawyer married to a teacher, I was crestfallen when I completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and realized that my hope was an unaffordable dream.

The New York Times

I was crestfallen, but Jamie was not surprised.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"I am crestfallen".

The New York Times

In truth I am crestfallen, totally devastated and very frightened.

The Guardian

-- Geoff Gallegos "Almost half my life; I'm crestfallen".

The New York Times

I am crestfallen to report that Arnold Schwarzenegger's comeback was a wipeout.

The Guardian - Film

Slinking into my tent I'm crestfallen to see that the infection now looks.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "i was crestfallen" to express a profound sense of disappointment, often following an event that significantly lowered your expectations or hopes. It's suitable for conveying a deep, albeit temporary, emotional setback.

Common error

Avoid using "i was crestfallen" in trivial situations. Its intensity can sound exaggerated if applied to minor inconveniences. Reserve it for genuinely disheartening experiences to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was crestfallen" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past emotional state. It describes the speaker's feeling of deep disappointment or dejection at a specific point in time. Ludwig confirms this usage with examples from news and media.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "i was crestfallen" effectively communicates a strong feeling of disappointment, as validated by Ludwig. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it's a neutral to slightly formal way to describe a significant emotional setback. While grammatically correct and commonly used, it's best reserved for genuinely disheartening situations to avoid sounding exaggerated. Consider alternatives like "i was disappointed" or "i felt dejected" for more casual settings. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i felt dejected

Highlights a state of low spirits, often due to failure or loss; similar in intensity to "crestfallen".

i was disappointed

A general expression of unhappiness that something did not meet expectations.

i was downcast

Focuses on a saddened or depressed mood, often due to a specific event.

i was saddened

Indicates a feeling of sorrow or unhappiness; more general than "crestfallen".

i felt disheartened

Emphasizes a loss of spirit or enthusiasm; less intense than "crestfallen".

i was dismayed

Expresses a feeling of alarm and disappointment, often due to something unexpected.

i was let down

Suggests a feeling of betrayal or that someone failed to support or meet your expectations.

i was demoralized

Suggests a loss of confidence or hope, often due to repeated failures or setbacks.

i was crushed

Implies a severe emotional blow or a feeling of being utterly defeated.

i was chagrined

Implies a feeling of embarrassment or annoyance at having failed or been humiliated.

FAQs

How can I use "i was crestfallen" in a sentence?

Use "i was crestfallen" to describe a feeling of deep disappointment or dejection after an event didn't go as hoped. For example, "After hearing the news, "I was crestfallen" and needed time to process it."

What can I say instead of "i was crestfallen"?

You can use alternatives like "i felt disappointed", "i was dejected", or "i felt let down" depending on the specific context.

Is "i was crestfallen" formal or informal?

"I was crestfallen" is considered a neutral to slightly formal expression. While understandable in most contexts, alternatives like "i was disappointed" might be more appropriate for very informal settings.

What does "crestfallen" actually mean?

"Crestfallen" means deeply disappointed or dejected. It suggests a lowering of one's "crest" or spirit due to an unfortunate event or realization. It's stronger than simple disappointment and implies a sense of being emotionally deflated.