it is disappointing to observe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is disappointing to observe" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing dissatisfaction or regret about something you have witnessed or experienced. Example: "It is disappointing to observe the lack of progress in addressing climate change despite the urgent need for action."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is disappointing to observe that less than one third of the patients felt that justice had been done through the complaints handling process.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

While seeing the manatees was certainly one of the highlights of my trip, it was disappointing to observe the infant in such a poor state of health.

Huffington Post

It was disappointing to observe no significant lifestyle improvements, given that reductions in smoking and alcohol use, and an increase in physical activity were observed by Smith et al. [ 21].

BMC Psychiatry

It was disappointing to watch.

The New York Times

It is disappointing to see Amazon.com fight back.

The New York Times

It is disappointing to lose a goal right away.

The Guardian - Sport

"But it is disappointing to finish off like this".

BBC

"It's disappointing to me — really disappointing," Betchkal said.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's disappointing, to be sure.

The New York Times

"Obviously it's disappointing to lose Will.

Independent

"It's disappointing to see when this happens," Chambers continued.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing. This phrase can come across as somewhat formal. Choose a more casual alternative if your writing style is less formal.

Common error

Avoid using "it is disappointing to observe" as a generic complaint. Always specify what you find disappointing to avoid sounding vague and critical without substance. For instance, instead of saying "It is disappointing to observe the current state of affairs", specify: "It is disappointing to observe the lack of funding for renewable energy projects".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is disappointing to observe" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing the speaker's negative assessment of a situation or phenomenon they have witnessed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is disappointing to observe" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey a sense of regret or dissatisfaction concerning something witnessed. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is relatively uncommon, appearing most often in news and media and scientific contexts. For alternatives, consider "it is disheartening to see" or "it is regrettable to observe". When employing this phrase, be sure to specify the object of disappointment to avoid sounding vague.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is disheartening to see

Replaces "disappointing" with "disheartening" for a stronger emphasis on emotional impact.

it is regrettable to observe

Substitutes "disappointing" with "regrettable", indicating a sense of sorrow or lament.

it is unfortunate to witness

Changes "disappointing" to "unfortunate" and "observe" to "witness", focusing on the unlucky aspect of the situation.

it is sad to see

Uses "sad" instead of "disappointing" to convey a feeling of sorrow when observing something.

it is discouraging to note

Replaces "disappointing" with "discouraging" and "observe" with "note", highlighting the discouraging nature of what is observed.

it is dismaying to observe

Uses "dismaying" to show a stronger feeling of alarm and disappointment than the original phrase.

one cannot help but notice with disappointment

Expresses the observation and disappointment in a more roundabout and emphatic way.

it's a shame to observe

Replaces the formal tone with a more casual expression using "a shame".

it is frustrating to watch

Shifts the focus to the frustration caused by observing something.

it is sobering to see

Uses "sobering" to indicate a more serious and reflective tone about what is being observed.

FAQs

What does "it is disappointing to observe" mean?

The phrase "it is disappointing to observe" expresses dissatisfaction or regret about something one has witnessed or noticed. It implies a negative judgment based on observation.

How can I use "it is disappointing to observe" in a sentence?

You can use "it is disappointing to observe" followed by a 'that' clause specifying what you're disappointed about. For example, "It is disappointing to observe that environmental regulations are not being enforced effectively."

What are some alternatives to "it is disappointing to observe"?

Alternatives include "it is disheartening to see", "it is regrettable to observe", or "it is unfortunate to witness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is disappointing to observe" formal or informal?

"It is disappointing to observe" leans towards a more formal register. In less formal contexts, you might prefer saying something like "it's sad to see" or "it's a shame to observe".