Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

that's disappointing
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(5)

that's a shame

that's unfortunate

that's regrettable

that's a pity

that's sad

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's false, that's disappointing and that's sad", he says.

News & Media

Independent

"It's the result that's disappointing as the performance was brilliant.

News & Media

BBC

"That's disappointing, but it isn't putting anyone's life at risk".

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

That's disappointing.

News & Media

The New York Times

I think that's disappointing.

News & Media

The New York Times

And that's disappointing.

News & Media

The New York Times

"That's disappointing," I say.

News & Media

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"So that's disappointing".

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

"That's disappointing and frustrating".

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

Ach, that's disappointing.

News & Media

The Guardian - Music

3.46pm: That's disappointing.

News & Media

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that's disappointing" when you want to express mild regret or dissatisfaction, without being overly negative. It acknowledges a negative outcome while maintaining a neutral tone.

Common error

While "that's disappointing" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional settings where more sophisticated language may be preferred. Instead, consider phrases like "that is regrettable" or "that is unfortunate".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's disappointing" primarily functions as an interjection or a statement expressing mild dissatisfaction or regret. It's used to react to situations that don't meet expectations. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its use in everyday conversations and media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sports

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that's disappointing" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express mild dissatisfaction or regret. According to Ludwig, it is used in several different contexts such as news media and sports, indicating a neutral register. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in very formal settings. Alternative phrases like "that's a shame" or "that's unfortunate" can provide variety. Ludwig shows that the phrase is widely accepted and understood, making it a reliable choice for expressing mild disappointment.

More alternative expressions(6)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's a shame

Replaces "disappointing" with a more general expression of regret.

that's unfortunate

Substitutes "disappointing" with a term indicating bad luck or unfavorable circumstances.

that's regrettable

Uses a more formal synonym for "disappointing."

that's a letdown

Replaces "disappointing" with a more informal term suggesting a failure to meet expectations.

that's disheartening

Emphasizes the discouraging effect of the situation.

that's vexing

Uses a less common word to express annoyance and frustration.

that's not ideal

Offers a more understated way to express disappointment.

that's suboptimal

Employs a technical term indicating something is less than the best possible outcome.

that's a pity

Expresses sorrow or regret over the situation.

that's not up to par

Indicates that something fails to meet the expected standard.

FAQs

What does "that's disappointing" mean?

The phrase "that's disappointing" expresses a feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction about something that did not meet expectations. It's a mild way of showing you are not pleased with a situation or outcome.

How to use "that's disappointing" in a sentence?

You can use "that's disappointing" to react to news or situations you find unsatisfactory. For example, "I didn't get the job, that's disappointing" or "The event was canceled, that's disappointing".

What can I say instead of "that's disappointing"?

You can use alternatives like "that's a shame", "that's unfortunate", or "that's regrettable" depending on the context.

Is "that's disappointing" formal or informal?

"That's disappointing" is generally considered neutral in formality. While suitable for most everyday conversations, it might be perceived as too informal for highly formal or professional contexts. Consider using alternatives like "that's regrettable" or "that's unfortunate" in such cases.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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that's disappointingGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

that's disappointing
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples