was let down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was let down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disappointment or a feeling of being betrayed by someone or something. Example: "I really thought the movie would be great, but I was let down by the plot twists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Anyone expecting a caress was let down, probably.

The New York Times - Arts

"Strictly speaking, Bass was let down by his sponsors".

The New York Times - Arts

Tyson Gay said he was let down by someone he knew.

Independent

Sweden's free-school movement, for instance, was let down by poor follow-up from inspectors.

The Economist

I was let down by the overblown reputations of some hardcore fictional works.

The New Yorker

Local legend will record that the Special One was let down by the Three Rats.

Independent

"I basically put my trust in someone, and I was let down," Gay said.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet he was let down when he went over his initial images.

The New York Times

Sarah Reed was let down by the police, the courts and the prison system.

The Guardian - Opinion

I voted for Bush twice and was let down in the second term.

The New York Times

Will Hutton's otherwise excellent article was let down by the confusing argument on Heathrow.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was let down", clearly identify who or what caused the disappointment to provide context and clarity.

Common error

While "was let down" is common, consider stronger, more precise verbs in formal writing to convey the specific nature of the disappointment. Alternatives like "disappointed", "betrayed", or "failed" can add nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was let down" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject experienced disappointment or a failure of expectations due to an external cause. Ludwig examples show it used when someone's expectations were not met. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was let down" is a common and grammatically correct way to express disappointment or the failure to meet expectations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently used in news and media contexts, as illustrated by the provided examples. While suitable for general use, consider more specific verbs in formal writing to enhance clarity. Related phrases such as "was disappointed" or "felt betrayed" can offer alternative ways to convey similar sentiments with slightly different nuances. When using "was let down", clearly identify the cause of disappointment to provide better context for the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was disappointed

Uses a direct adjective to convey the feeling of letdown, simpler phrasing.

was failed by

Specifies the agent of failure, highlighting who or what caused the disappointment.

felt betrayed

Emphasizes a sense of disloyalty or deception, stronger emotional connotation.

was failed

Focuses on the act of failing rather than the feeling of disappointment, emphasizes responsibility.

was deceived

Highlights the act of being misled or tricked, suggesting a deliberate action.

was disillusioned

Indicates a loss of faith or idealism, suggesting a deeper disappointment.

was shortchanged

Implies unfair treatment or not receiving what was expected, often in a transactional context.

was underserved

Focuses on a lack of adequate service or attention, particularly in institutional or systemic contexts.

was not satisfied

Expresses a general lack of fulfillment or contentment, less specific in cause.

had expectations unmet

Focuses on the discrepancy between expectations and reality, formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "was let down" in a sentence?

You can use "was let down" to express disappointment when someone or something fails to meet your expectations. For example, "I really thought the movie would be great, but I "was let down" by the plot twists".

What can I say instead of "was let down"?

You can use alternatives like "was disappointed", "felt betrayed", or "was failed by" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was let down" or "felt let down"?

Both ""was let down"" and "felt let down" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Was let down" focuses on the external cause of disappointment, while "felt let down" emphasizes the internal feeling of disappointment. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

Is it better to use "was let down" or a more specific verb?

While ""was let down"" is acceptable in many contexts, using a more specific verb like "disappointed", "betrayed", or "failed" can provide greater clarity and impact, especially in formal writing.