it is dismal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is dismal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, condition, or atmosphere that is bleak, depressing, or lacking in hope. Example: "The weather today is so gloomy; it is dismal and makes me want to stay indoors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But Europe's record of government investment in IT is dismal.

The Economist

Here in the shadow of Silicon Valley, it is dismal to see the obsession with privatization when the shifts we need to respond to climate change should include enhanced public transit, both in what fuels those fleets and how well they serve us.

The Guardian - Opinion

Meanwhile, owing to its poor sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents, high metastatic potential, and resistance to traditional drugs, it is dismal to the overall prognosis of patients with HCC.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Again, for Romney it is dismal.

Huffington Post

It is dismal human development indexes," Vijay Parmar, CEO of the nonprofit organization Janvikas, told VICE News.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Unfortunately, the White House design of the economic stimulus package and its messaging of it was dismal; consequently, he got little credit and much abuse for it.

Huffington Post

In the early days it was the leading symbol of the new building's failed vision, and its effect on the art shown within it was dismal.

The New York Times

It was dismal.

The Economist

It was dismal and scary.

The New York Times

It was dismal stuff.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's dismal, very dismal".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is dismal", ensure the subject you're describing genuinely evokes a sense of gloom, failure, or profound disappointment. Overusing it can diminish its impact.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "it is dismal" in everyday casual conversation can sound overly dramatic or formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it's bad" or "it's disappointing" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is dismal" functions as a descriptive statement. It assigns a negative quality (dismal) to a subject, indicating that something is depressing, bleak, or of very poor quality. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is dismal" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe situations, conditions, or atmospheres that are bleak, depressing, or lacking in hope. Ludwig AI validates this finding. While its frequency is relatively rare, its use is most commonly found in news and media contexts. For alternatives, consider phrases like "it is bleak" or "it is grim". While appropriate, its tone can sometimes come across as overly dramatic, especially in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's bleak

Emphasizes the lack of positive prospects or hope for improvement.

it's grim

Implies a severe or depressing outlook, often associated with hardship or suffering.

it's depressing

Directly states that the situation causes feelings of sadness or despondency.

it's disheartening

Subtly shifts focus to the emotional impact, suggesting a loss of morale or enthusiasm.

it's discouraging

Highlights the potential to lose motivation or confidence due to the situation.

it's disappointing

Focuses on the failure to meet expectations or hopes.

it's terrible

Conveys a strong sense of something being very bad or unpleasant.

it's awful

Similar to "terrible", expressing a strong feeling of dislike or revulsion.

it's unfortunate

Downplays the negativity with a gentler expression of regret or disappointment.

it's regrettable

Similar to "unfortunate", but with a slightly more formal and solemn tone.

FAQs

How can I use "it is dismal" in a sentence?

You can use "it is dismal" to describe a situation, condition, or atmosphere that is bleak, depressing, or lacking in hope. For example, "The economic forecast "it is dismal", with little prospect of improvement in the near future."

What can I say instead of "it is dismal"?

You can use alternatives like "it is bleak", "it is grim", or "it is discouraging" depending on the context.

Is "it's dismal" more common than "it is dismal"?

The contraction "it's dismal" is more common in informal speech and writing, while "it is dismal" is perceived as more formal. Both are grammatically correct, so the choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What makes "it is dismal" different from "it is sad"?

"It is sad" expresses general sorrow or unhappiness. "It is dismal", however, conveys a deeper sense of gloom, often associated with hopelessness or failure. While both describe negative situations, ""it is dismal"" implies a more profound and pervasive negativity than "it is sad".