meaning - "Disappointed in" versus "disappointed with"

I'm aware there are different prepositions possible after disappointed: with, in, of, at. I'm particulary interested in the difference between with and in.

I'm disappointed with you.

I'm disappointed in you.

Which one is correct? Or do they have a slightly different meaning?

Answer

I don't know about any official documentation on this, but it seems from usage that "disappointed with" typically precedes a demonstrative pronoun, while "disappointed in" directly precedes a subject or an article and subject:

I'm disappointed in the ruling.
I'm disappointed in Tom.

I'm disappointed with that result.
I'm disappointed with her performance.

The 'that' and 'her' are demonstrative pronouns, while 'Tom' and 'the ruling' are subjects ('the' obviously being the article).

Comments

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