that is disappointing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that is disappointing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express dissatisfaction or letdown regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "I was really looking forward to the concert, but when it got canceled, that is disappointing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

If the thrust of the argument is that we collaborated to create misleading medical reports, that is disappointing".

The Guardian

But there is a dishonesty and a small-mindedness about the deal that seems to be emerging this weekend that is disappointing.

Independent

Courtesy Wevr Outside of fiction, "virtual reality," like "angel food" or "infinity pool," is an evocative phrase that is disappointing if taken literally.

The New Yorker

When these voters have the opportunity to pose thoughtful, specific questions to the candidates and receive responses that are reiterations of the candidates' stump speeches, that is disappointing and disrespectful.

The New York Times

In his review in The Times, A. O. Scott said, " 'The Road' is engrossing and at times impressive, a pretty good movie that is disappointing to the extent that it could have been great.

The New York Times - Arts

Almost everything that is disappointing about well-made formula crime drama was contained in the opener for the latest instalment of Silent Witness, which is serially wrong-sided by absurdity.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

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

Independent

It was more the atmospherics that were disappointing.

Huffington Post

And that's disappointing.

The New York Times

"So that's disappointing".

The New York Times - Sports

That's disappointing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that is disappointing" to express mild dissatisfaction, especially when expectations were not met. Be mindful of the audience and context to ensure it aligns with the tone.

Common error

Avoid using "that is disappointing" when a stronger expression of frustration or anger is more appropriate. Overusing it can diminish the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that is disappointing" functions as a statement expressing dissatisfaction or a lack of fulfillment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct way to convey that something has not met expectations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Sports

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that is disappointing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing mild dissatisfaction, as supported by Ludwig AI. It functions to convey unmet expectations across various contexts, notably in News & Media, Science, and Sports. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in emotionally charged situations where a stronger expression may be more fitting. Related phrases like "that's a letdown" or "that is regrettable" can offer suitable alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's a letdown

Uses a more informal term, "letdown", to convey disappointment.

that is regrettable

Emphasizes a sense of regret or wishing things were different.

that's unfortunate

Highlights the unlucky or unfavorable nature of the situation.

that is a shame

Expresses sorrow or pity about the situation.

it's a pity that

Rearranges the structure to focus on the unfortunate aspect itself.

it's too bad that

An informal expression indicating something is undesirable.

that's hardly ideal

Understates the disappointment by pointing out it's not optimal.

it leaves something to be desired

A more indirect way of expressing that something is not up to par.

that falls short of expectations

Indicates the outcome did not meet anticipated standards.

it's not quite what I'd hoped for

A personal expression of unmet expectations.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "that is disappointing"?

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

Is "that is disappointing" formal or informal?

The phrase "that is disappointing" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "that is regrettable".

How to use "that is disappointing" in a sentence?

You can use "that is disappointing" to express dissatisfaction with a situation or outcome. For example, "The fact that the project was delayed again, that is disappointing."

What's the difference between "that is disappointing" and "that is frustrating"?

While both express negative feelings, "that is disappointing" implies unmet expectations or a letdown, while "that is frustrating" suggests something is causing annoyance or difficulty.