it's disappointing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it's disappointing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is not as good or effective as you expected. For example, "It's disappointing that some people still don't take the pandemic seriously".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's disappointing," she said.

The New York Times

He added: "It's disappointing.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's why it's disappointing".

The New York Times

"It's disappointing," Cishek said.

The New York Times - Sports

"So, yeah, it's disappointing".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's disappointing," Barajas said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's disappointing," he said.

BBC

"It's disappointing," Buchine said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's disappointing," said Tomkins.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's disappointing for me.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's disappointing," Collins said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's disappointing" to express mild regret or dissatisfaction when you don't want to sound overly negative or critical.

Common error

While "it's disappointing" is widely acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for stronger, more precise language like "it is regrettable" or "it is unsatisfactory" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's disappointing" functions as an evaluative expression, conveying a subjective assessment of a situation or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and common way to express dissatisfaction or regret. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, indicating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's disappointing" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express mild regret or dissatisfaction. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely acceptable in written English. Its neutral to informal register makes it versatile for various contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from stronger synonyms. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports, the phrase serves to communicate a negative evaluation without being overly critical. When aiming for precision in highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "it's regrettable" or "it's unsatisfactory".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's a letdown

Replaces "disappointing" with a more informal noun phrase emphasizing the feeling of being let down.

that's a shame

A common and slightly more casual way to express disappointment or regret.

it's rather unfortunate

Substitutes "disappointing" with a more formal and understated expression of regret.

it's regrettable

Uses a more formal synonym to convey a sense of sorrow or remorse about something.

it's not ideal

Offers a more neutral and subtle way of expressing dissatisfaction, implying that the situation is less than perfect.

it's a pity

Emphasizes the feeling of sorrow or regret about a particular situation.

it's a source of frustration

Shifts the focus to the feeling of frustration caused by the situation, rather than just the disappointment.

it's far from satisfactory

Highlights that something is not at an acceptable level, implying a sense of disappointment.

it falls short of expectations

Expresses that something did not meet the anticipated or desired level.

it leaves much to be desired

Indicates that something is lacking or not as good as it could be, expressing a degree of dissatisfaction.

FAQs

How can I use "it's disappointing" in a sentence?

You can use "it's disappointing" to express a feeling of sadness or regret when something is not as good as expected. For example, "It's disappointing that the event was canceled".

What are some alternatives to "it's disappointing"?

Alternatives include "it's a letdown", "that's a shame", or "it's regrettable", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "it is disappointing" more formal than "it's disappointing"?

Yes, "it is disappointing" is slightly more formal than "it's disappointing" because it uses the full form of the verb "to be". However, both are generally acceptable in most contexts.

What is the difference between "it's disappointing" and "it's frustrating"?

"It's disappointing" expresses a feeling of sadness or regret that something didn't meet expectations, while "it's frustrating" indicates that something is causing annoyance or difficulty. They are similar but emphasize different emotional responses.