very disappointing

USAGE SUMMARY

'very disappointing' is a perfectly grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that falls short of expectations. For example, "We all had high hopes for the outcome of this project, but it turned out to be very disappointing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But very disappointing.

The New Yorker

It's very disappointing".

The New York Times

"Very disappointing," Posada said.

The New York Times - Sports

That's very disappointing".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's very, very disappointing.

The New York Times - Sports

Just very disappointing.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is very disappointing.

The New York Times - Sports

THE DEVIL: Very disappointing.

The New Yorker

"Disappointing, very disappointing".

The New York Times

That was very disappointing.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's very disappointing," said Haywood.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very disappointing" when you want to express a clear, direct sentiment of unmet expectations without being overly dramatic. Consider the audience and context to adjust the intensity accordingly.

Common error

While "very disappointing" is acceptable, overuse can weaken its impact. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "extremely underwhelming" or "utterly disheartening" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very disappointing" primarily functions as a subjective descriptor, modifying a noun or situation to express a negative evaluation. It indicates that something has failed to meet expectations or has caused dissatisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sports

35%

General

23%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very disappointing" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express dissatisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Sports. While versatile, consider varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "highly unsatisfactory" or "extremely underwhelming" to maintain engagement. Remember to use it when you want to convey a clear, direct sentiment of unmet expectations without being overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly unsatisfactory

Emphasizes the failure to meet expectations in a more formal tone.

extremely underwhelming

Highlights the lack of excitement or impressiveness.

utterly disheartening

Focuses on the discouraging or demoralizing effect.

bitterly frustrating

Highlights the annoyance and helplessness caused by the failure.

sorely regrettable

Emphasizes a sense of deep sorrow or remorse about the situation.

deeply saddened

Focuses on the emotional impact of the disappointment.

quite unfortunate

Downplays the disappointment with a more neutral tone.

decidedly substandard

Emphasizes the failure to meet a certain quality level.

distinctly inferior

Highlights the lower quality compared to something else.

remarkably deficient

Focuses on a significant lack or inadequacy.

FAQs

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

You can use "very disappointing" to describe an outcome, result, or experience that did not meet expectations. For example, "The movie was "very disappointing" because the plot was weak."

What are some alternatives to saying "very disappointing"?

You can use alternatives like "highly unsatisfactory", "extremely underwhelming", or "utterly disheartening" depending on the context.

Is "very disappointing" formal or informal?

"Very disappointing" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal situations, consider using a more sophisticated synonym like "highly unsatisfactory".

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

Adding "very" intensifies the feeling of disappointment. While "disappointing" indicates a general lack of satisfaction, "very disappointing" expresses a stronger degree of dissatisfaction or unmet expectations.