this is discouraging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is discouraging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing disappointment or a sense of demotivation regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "After reviewing the results of the project, I must say, this is discouraging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

All this is discouraging for a champion of footnotes like myself.

The New York Times - Books

This is discouraging news for the parents of premature babies, Dr. Linnet said, "but perhaps the results could contribute to the etiological research on A.D.H.D., where the causes for most cases are unknown".

The New York Times - Health

This is discouraging both for the PN designers and the PN readers and this is certainly one of the causes impeding the dissemination of this approach.

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

This is discouraging".

Human Resources for Health

This is discouraging from the point of view of identifying a single best OD method, but it also suggests a new and relatively facile avenue for methodologic improvement.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

This is discouraging in some ways, yet also reinforces the notion that "it's not what we say, but what we do" that really matters.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

This is discouraged.

The New York Times

He also began surreptitiously taping his talks with Hawkins, though this is discouraged by California law.

Forbes

This is discouraged now, since it can bring dangerous side effects such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Wikipedia

This was discouraging to Cope because King named Marsh, an old college friend, as the chief paleontologist.

Wikipedia

For some, this was discouraging.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is discouraging" to express disappointment or a lack of motivation when expectations have not been met. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but consider alternatives like "this is disheartening" or "this is disappointing" for nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "this is discouraging" in situations that warrant stronger emotional responses (e.g., grief, outrage). Overusing it in such contexts can diminish the impact and make your writing sound insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is discouraging" primarily functions as an evaluative statement. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it expresses a subjective assessment of a situation, indicating that it reduces one's enthusiasm or confidence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

20%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is discouraging" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to articulate disappointment or reduced motivation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific domains. While versatile, considering alternative expressions like "this is disheartening" or "this is disappointing" can add nuance. Be mindful of overly dramatic contexts, as overuse might dilute its impact. The phrase functions primarily as an evaluative statement and maintains a neutral register, and it serves the purpose of conveying negative feelings about a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is disheartening

Replaces "discouraging" with "disheartening", indicating a feeling of sadness and loss of hope.

this is disappointing

Replaces "discouraging" with "disappointing", suggesting a failure to meet expectations.

this is not encouraging

Uses a negative construction to express a lack of positive signs or prospects.

this is unpromising

Shifts the focus to the lack of positive future prospects, rather than the immediate feeling of discouragement.

this is bleak

Emphasizes the negativity and lack of hope in the situation.

this is demoralizing

Highlights the reduction of morale and confidence.

this is frustrating

Focuses on the annoyance and irritation caused by the situation.

it's a real letdown

Expresses disappointment in a more informal and colloquial manner.

this is a setback

Presents the situation as a temporary obstacle, rather than a complete defeat.

this is worrying

Indicates concern and anxiety about the implications of the situation.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is "discouraging"?

When something is "discouraging", it means that it reduces one's enthusiasm or confidence, often due to setbacks or disappointing results. It suggests a feeling of demotivation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "this is discouraging"?

The phrase "this is discouraging" is appropriate when you want to express disappointment or a lack of encouragement due to a particular situation or outcome. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

What can I say instead of "this is discouraging"?

You can use alternatives like "this is disappointing", "this is disheartening", or "this is unpromising" depending on the context.

Is "this is discouraging" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this is discouraging" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure with "this" as the subject, "is" as the verb, and "discouraging" as the predicate adjective.