to be disappointed

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be disappointed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express the feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction when one's expectations or hopes were not met. Example sentence: She had high hopes for the new job, but she was disappointed when she found out it didn't offer as much room for growth as she had hoped.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was to be disappointed.

The New York Times

But prepare to be disappointed.

The New York Times - Tech

They're going to be disappointed.

Independent

You may not want to be disappointed.

The New York Times

And they are right to be disappointed.

The New York Times

And are they to be disappointed?

The New Yorker

He is likely to be disappointed.

The Economist

It felt unconscionable to be disappointed.

The New York Times - Sports

We set ourselves up to be disappointed.

The New York Times - Books

But the group refused to be disappointed.

The New York Times - Science

They are unlikely to be disappointed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be disappointed" to express a feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction when expectations are not met. For example, "I was disappointed to learn that the event had been canceled."

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "to be disappointed". While grammatically correct, actively expressing disappointment can often make your writing more impactful. Instead of "He was disappointed by the results", try "The results disappointed him."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be disappointed" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate adjective describing a state of feeling or emotion. It indicates a passive experience of disappointment, as seen in Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be disappointed" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express feelings of sadness or unmet expectations. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various reliable sources, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "to feel let down" or "to be crestfallen" exist, "to be disappointed" remains a versatile choice for conveying this particular emotional state. Remember to use the active voice when possible to enhance the impact of your writing. Its prevalence in authoritative publications underscores its acceptability in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to feel let down

Focuses on the feeling of being betrayed or abandoned in one's expectations.

to be crestfallen

Emphasizes a sense of dejection or sadness, often after a failure.

to be disillusioned

Highlights the loss of faith or trust in something previously admired.

to be disheartened

Implies a loss of enthusiasm or courage due to a setback.

to be discouraged

Suggests a feeling of being dissuaded from pursuing a goal.

to have one's hopes dashed

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful destruction of one's expectations.

to be saddened

Focuses on the feeling of sorrow or unhappiness as a result of something.

to be regretful

Emphasizes a feeling of sorrow or remorse about something that has happened or been done.

to be unfortunate

Highlights the unlucky or unfavorable nature of a situation, leading to a negative outcome.

to be frustrated

Emphasizes the feeling of being annoyed or angered as a result of being unable to prevent changes.

FAQs

How can I use "to be disappointed" in a sentence?

You can use "to be disappointed" to express the feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction when something does not meet your expectations. For example, "I expected the movie to be great, but I was disappointed/s/to+be+disappointed".

What are some alternatives to "to be disappointed"?

Alternatives include "to feel let down", "to be crestfallen", or "to be disillusioned", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am disappoint" instead of "I am disappointed"?

No, "I am disappoint" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I am disappointed". "Disappointed" is the past participle of the verb "disappoint" and is used as an adjective here.

What's the difference between "to be disappointed" and "to be frustrating"?

"To be disappointed" refers to a feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction, while "to be frustrating" describes something that causes annoyance or irritation. For example, you might be disappointed if your team loses, but you might find the traffic frustrating.