our dismay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our dismay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a shared feeling of disappointment or sadness about a situation. Example: "To our dismay, the event was canceled at the last minute, leaving many attendees frustrated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now every day, to our dismay,.

The New Yorker

To our dismay, she declined.

The New Yorker

But to our dismay it flew away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To our dismay, it was 10 minutes away.

The New York Times

To our dismay, we realized we were not going to pull it off.

Stanford University

However, much to our dismay, the region is experiencing one of its warmest Decembers on record.

The Washington Post

To our dismay, our dining companion ordered his sesame-seared tuna well done.

The New York Times

To our dismay, the train pulled into a new Russian station, Ladyarska, opened just weeks before.

The New York Times - Travel

To our dismay, both objects were ignored unless we visited each other's homes.

The New York Times

To our dismay, both were served before our companions could order dessert.

The New York Times

To our dismay, we soon discover how close a house we own can come to owning us.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "our dismay" to express a shared feeling of disappointment or concern when something unexpected and negative occurs. It is most effective when the group experiencing the dismay is clearly defined.

Common error

While "our dismay" is widely accepted, reserve it for more formal or neutral communication. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "we were disappointed" or "we were bummed out" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our dismay" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express the emotional reaction to an event. As Ludwig AI also indicates, it's a grammatically correct and commonly used construction. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

19%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "our dismay" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a shared feeling of disappointment, concern, or shock. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, with a stronger presence in news and academic writing. When choosing an alternative, consider the nuance you wish to convey, opting for words like "disappointment", "regret", or "consternation". While widely used, "our dismay" is best reserved for neutral or professional communication, with simpler alternatives preferred for casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to our disappointment

Replaces "dismay" with "disappointment", focusing on the feeling of being let down.

to our regret

Substitutes "dismay" with "regret", emphasizing a sense of sorrow or remorse.

much to our consternation

Replaces "dismay" with "consternation", highlighting confusion and anxiety.

to our surprise and disappointment

Adds "surprise" to "dismay", indicating unexpectedness of the negative outcome.

to our great concern

Substitutes "dismay" with "great concern", emphasizing worry about the situation.

to our profound concern

Replaces "great concern" with "profound concern" intensifying the anxiety regarding the situation.

to our utter shock

Replaces "dismay" with "utter shock", emphasizing the surprise and disbelief.

to our chagrin

Replaces "dismay" with "chagrin", denoting embarrassment or annoyance at having failed.

to our discouragement

Replaces "dismay" with "discouragement", focusing on the loss of enthusiasm or confidence.

to our dissatisfaction

Replaces "dismay" with "dissatisfaction", highlighting displeasure and unmet expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "our dismay" in a sentence?

You can use "our dismay" to express shared disappointment or concern about an event. For example, "To "our dismay", the project was delayed again" shows a collective negative reaction.

What can I say instead of "our dismay"?

Alternatives to "our dismay" include "to our disappointment", "to our regret", or "much to our consternation". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "to our dismay" or "with our dismay"?

The correct phrasing is "to our dismay". The preposition "to" indicates the result or consequence of an event, whereas "with our dismay" is not grammatically standard.

What's the difference between "our dismay" and "our disappointment"?

"Our dismay" suggests a stronger sense of shock or concern, whereas "our disappointment" focuses more on unmet expectations. Use "our dismay" when you want to emphasize surprise and negative impact, and "our disappointment" when you want to highlight a feeling of being let down.