very discouraging

USAGE SUMMARY

"very discouraging" is a valid phrase and can be used in written English.
An example sentence might be: "The latest test results were very discouraging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was very discouraging.

The New York Times - Books

But it's very discouraging.

The New York Times

It was all very discouraging.

The New Yorker

Many of the signs are very discouraging.

The Guardian - Opinion

"As a long-standing member, I find these actions very, very discouraging.

The Guardian - Film

We hope that releasing the lady beetles will be a magic bullet, but it's very discouraging.

The New York Times

It's very discouraging".

The New York Times - Tech

This is very discouraging.

Pastoralism

I encountered many professors who were very discouraging.

Science Magazine

"Do not stop networking, even if it seems very discouraging.

Science Magazine

Even so, Eberle and others regard the overall findings as very discouraging.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very discouraging" when you want to emphasize a feeling of disappointment that significantly reduces motivation or hope. Avoid overuse by considering synonyms like "highly disheartening" or "extremely disappointing" for variety.

Common error

While "very discouraging" is acceptable, relying on it too often can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using alternatives like "deeply demoralizing" or "quite frustrating" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very discouraging" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a strong sense of disappointment or loss of motivation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very discouraging" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express a strong sense of disappointment or reduced motivation. Ludwig AI validates its appropriateness in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While effective, varying your vocabulary with alternatives like "highly disheartening" or "extremely disappointing" can enhance your writing. As Ludwig shows, the phrase serves to communicate negative emotional responses and is best used when emphasizing a notable degree of discouragement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly disheartening

Emphasizes the loss of hope or enthusiasm more strongly.

extremely disappointing

Focuses on the failure to meet expectations.

deeply demoralizing

Highlights the negative impact on morale and confidence.

quite frustrating

Stresses the annoyance and irritation caused by the situation.

utterly hopeless

Conveys a complete lack of optimism or positive outlook.

terribly upsetting

Emphasizes the emotional distress caused by the situation.

really off-putting

Focuses on the characteristic of causing aversion or dislike.

distinctly unpromising

Highlights the lack of favorable indications for the future.

genuinely vexing

Stresses the quality of causing irritation or annoyance.

seriously disillusioning

Emphasizes the loss of faith or idealism.

FAQs

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

You can use "very discouraging" to describe something that causes a loss of enthusiasm or hope. For example, "The lack of progress on the project was very discouraging".

What are some alternatives to saying "very discouraging"?

You can use alternatives like "highly disheartening", "extremely disappointing", or "deeply demoralizing" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "very discouraging" in formal writing?

Yes, "very discouraging" is suitable for formal writing, though consider using more nuanced alternatives like "distinctly unpromising" or "seriously disillusioning" for added precision.

What makes something "very discouraging" as opposed to just "discouraging"?

The addition of "very" intensifies the feeling of discouragement, indicating a significantly stronger negative impact on motivation or optimism. It suggests a more profound sense of disappointment or hopelessness.