pretty disappointing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty disappointing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe experiences that didn't meet expectations. For example, "The results of the test were pretty disappointing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's pretty disappointing.

The Economist

It is pretty disappointing.

Independent

"That was pretty disappointing.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's pretty disappointing," Slowinski said.

The New York Times

So that was pretty disappointing".

The Guardian - Sport

The questions were pretty disappointing.

The New Yorker

"As a D.C. resident it's pretty disappointing.. . .

The Washington Post

Panesar has also been pretty disappointing.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was pretty disappointing," Williams said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's pretty disappointing," Trottier said of the benching.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's all pretty disappointing, I'm afraid," said Mr. Lampman.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation that didn't meet expectations, use "pretty disappointing" to express mild dissatisfaction without being overly negative. For example, "The movie was good, but the ending was "pretty disappointing"".

Common error

While "pretty disappointing" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it in highly formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "somewhat unsatisfactory" or "rather disheartening" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty disappointing" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to express a mild to moderate level of dissatisfaction. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It serves to qualify the degree of disappointment experienced.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty disappointing" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase widely used to express a mild to moderate level of dissatisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across different contexts. While versatile, it's less appropriate for highly formal or academic writing, where alternatives like "somewhat unsatisfactory" or "rather disheartening" may be preferred. Its frequent appearance in news and media reflects its common usage in everyday language, emphasizing its neutral register. While semantically equivalent, related phrases like "rather unsatisfactory" and "slightly disheartening" offer greater precision depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly disheartening

Emphasizes the discouraging or demoralizing effect of something; centers on the emotional impact.

slightly disheartening

Indicates a minor degree of discouragement or loss of morale; suggests a mild emotional impact.

rather unsatisfactory

Indicates a level of discontent due to not meeting requirements or expectations; emphasizes inadequacy.

quite unsatisfactory

Highlights the degree to which something fails to meet expectations; focuses on the lack of fulfillment.

somewhat underwhelming

Focuses on the failure to impress or excite; emphasizes the lack of expected impact or effect.

somewhat disillusioned

Expresses a loss of faith or trust in something previously regarded as good or admirable.

rather depressing

Focuses on the sadness or gloominess caused by something; emphasizes the negative emotional state.

a bit depressing

Similar to "rather depressing" but slightly less intense; implies a mild state of sadness.

quite regrettable

Emphasizes that something is worthy of regret or sorrow; highlights the negative consequences or implications.

mildly frustrating

Indicates a slight annoyance due to obstacles or delays; focuses on the irritating aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "pretty disappointing" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty disappointing" to describe something that didn't meet your expectations. For example, "The results of the survey were "pretty disappointing"".

What's a more formal alternative to "pretty disappointing"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "somewhat unsatisfactory", "rather disheartening", or "relatively disappointing" for a more professional tone.

Is it appropriate to use "pretty disappointing" in academic writing?

While understandable, "pretty disappointing" might be too informal for academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "somewhat unsatisfactory" or "relatively disappointing" for greater precision and professionalism.

What's the difference between "pretty disappointing" and "very disappointing"?

"Pretty disappointing" indicates a mild to moderate level of dissatisfaction, while "very disappointing" suggests a stronger feeling. The choice depends on the degree of disappointment you want to convey.