Cool MateDisappointing vs This is very unfortunate
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Disappointing
Top 2,000 (common)B1adjective
This is very unfortunate
Top 2,000 (common)
| Disappointing | This is very unfortunate | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs ɪz ˈvɛri ʌnˈfɔːtʃənət//🇺🇸 //ðɪs ɪz ˈvɛri ʌnˈfɔrtʃənət// |
| Meaning | not meeting expectations; causing sadness or letdown | This is a bad situation. |
| Example | a disappointing result/performance/defeat | I'm sorry to hear about your accident; this is very unfortunate. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, prove, seem, extremely, fairly, very, for, to | very unfortunate news, this is very unfortunate, very unfortunate circumstances |
| Antonyms | satisfying, pleasing, fulfilling | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'disappoint' which is a verb, Using with nouns that are not directly related to disappointment, Overusing in positive contexts | Using it in overly casual situations where a more sincere phrase is needed., Confusing it with 'very unfortunate' when referring to personal feelings instead of situations. |
| Usage notes | Use 'disappointing' to describe experiences, events, or performances that did not fulfill expectations. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but avoid using it in overly casual conversations. | Use in situations to express sympathy or regret. It's suitable for formal and casual contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Disappointing vs This is very unfortunate
What's the difference between Disappointing and This is very unfortunate?
Disappointing: not meeting expectations; causing sadness or letdown This is very unfortunate: This is a bad situation.
Can you show an example of each?
Disappointing: a disappointing result/performance/defeat This is very unfortunate: I'm sorry to hear about your accident; this is very unfortunate.
Can I use Disappointing and This is very unfortunate interchangeably?
Not always. Disappointing and This is very unfortunate are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.