i was dismayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was dismayed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express feelings of disappointment or shock in response to a situation or event. Example: "When I heard the news about the cancellation of the event, I was dismayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was dismayed.

The New York Times

I was dismayed when it occurred.

The Washington Post

And when I read the ingredients, I was dismayed.

The New York Times - Food

I was dismayed by the patronizing tone of Morris's essay.

The New York Times - Magazine

At the time, I was dismayed by a lot of her policies.

Independent

I was dismayed by "Keeping Beer Flowing and Dreams Alive" (Coping by Anemona Hartocollis, Aug. 31).

The New York Times

He took me back to his basement apartment, where I was dismayed to find his girlfriend.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was dismayed at the time, but I understand it now".

The New York Times - Sports

But I was dismayed by the conspicuous absence of Native Americans.

The New York Times

But I was dismayed by what had happened to his body.

The New Yorker

I was dismayed when the merchant didn't ship it until Friday afternoon.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was dismayed" to express disappointment or shock, particularly when something unexpected and negative has occurred. It's stronger than "I was disappointed" but not as severe as "I was outraged".

Common error

Avoid using "I was dismayed" for minor inconveniences. It's best reserved for situations that genuinely cause significant disappointment or concern. Using it too often can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was dismayed" functions as an independent clause expressing a personal feeling of disappointment or shock. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various narrative and descriptive contexts, typically following a statement of fact that triggers the emotion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was dismayed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express feelings of disappointment or shock. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While effective for conveying a negative emotional response, it's important to reserve it for situations that warrant such a strong reaction and be mindful of potential overuse. Alternatives like "I was disappointed" or "I was surprised" may be more appropriate in milder situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i felt dismayed

Replaces the verb "was" with "felt", emphasizing the emotional experience of dismay.

i was disappointed

Substitutes "dismayed" with a more common synonym, "disappointed", indicating a lesser degree of shock or surprise.

i was taken aback

Replaces "dismayed" with a phrase that suggests surprise and slight shock.

i was shocked

Emphasizes the element of surprise and strong negative reaction.

i couldn't believe my eyes

Implies disbelief and strong surprise at what was seen.

i was astonished

Replaces "dismayed" with "astonished", indicating a strong sense of surprise and wonder, potentially with a negative connotation.

i was appalled

Implies a strong feeling of disgust and shock.

i was disturbed

Indicates a sense of unease and worry.

it dismayed me to see

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the cause of dismay.

to my dismay

Expresses the feeling as a prepositional phrase, setting a context of disappointment.

FAQs

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

"I was dismayed" is used to express disappointment or shock about something. For example, "I was dismayed when I heard the news."

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

You can use alternatives like "i was disappointed", "i was shocked", or "i was taken aback" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "i was dismayed" or "i am dismayed"?

"I was dismayed" refers to a past feeling of disappointment or shock, while "I am dismayed" indicates a current feeling. The correct choice depends on the timing of the feeling you are describing.

What's the difference between "i was dismayed" and "i was concerned"?

"I was dismayed" suggests a feeling of disappointment, often with an element of surprise. "I was concerned" indicates worry or anxiety about something. They are related but not interchangeable.