was not impressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not impressed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a lack of admiration or approval regarding something or someone. Example: "After watching the movie, I must say I was not impressed with the storyline or the acting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Chalmers was not impressed.

The New York Times

He was not impressed.

The Economist

The woman was not impressed.

The New York Times

Philip was not impressed.

The New Yorker

Davies was not impressed.

The Guardian

Dante was not impressed.

The Guardian - Sport

Rogen was not impressed.

The Guardian - Film

It was not impressed.

The Guardian

Macmillan was not impressed.

The Guardian

Mourinho was not impressed.

The Guardian - Sport

Blackmur was not impressed.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not impressed" to express a direct, yet polite, lack of admiration or approval. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts where you want to convey your honest opinion without being overly harsh.

Common error

While versatile, "was not impressed" can sound too informal in highly formal settings. In such cases, opt for alternatives like "found it unsatisfactory" or "it did not meet expectations" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not impressed" functions as a declarative statement expressing a subjective evaluation. It communicates a lack of positive sentiment or approval. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in conveying disappointment or a lack of admiration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not impressed" is a versatile and frequently used expression to convey a lack of admiration, approval, or satisfaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While "was not impressed" is generally neutral in tone, it's essential to consider the setting and audience when choosing alternatives for more formal situations. Common alternatives include "was unimpressed by", "didn't think much of", and "didn't find it impressive". Use this phrase to express your honest opinion without being overly harsh, and remember to adjust the formality level as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unimpressed by

A more concise and slightly more formal alternative to the original phrase.

didn't find it impressive

Focuses on the absence of impressive qualities.

found it underwhelming

Highlights the feeling that something failed to meet expectations.

didn't meet my expectations

Emphasizes that something fell short of what was anticipated.

didn't think much of

Indicates a low opinion or lack of appreciation.

was disappointed in

Conveys a sense of unmet expectations or letdown.

failed to excite me

Highlights a lack of enthusiasm or stimulation.

wasn't thrilled with

Expresses mild disappointment or dissatisfaction.

it left me cold

Indicates a lack of emotional impact or engagement.

didn't care for

A more subtle way of expressing dislike or lack of interest.

FAQs

How can I use "was not impressed" in a sentence?

You can use "was not impressed" to express your disappointment or lack of admiration for something. For example, "I "was not impressed" with the movie's plot" or "She "was not impressed" by his excuses".

What's a more formal way to say "was not impressed"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "found it unsatisfactory", "it did not meet expectations", or "it failed to make a positive impression".

Which is correct, "was not impressed" or "were not impressed"?

"Was not impressed" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He "was not impressed""), while "were not impressed" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They "were not impressed"").

What's the difference between "was not impressed" and "was indifferent"?

"Was not impressed" indicates a negative reaction, a disappointment. "Was indifferent" implies a lack of interest or concern, a neutral reaction. For example, someone who "was not impressed" might dislike something, while someone who "was indifferent" simply doesn't care about it.