It is really pitiful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It is really pitiful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong feeling of sympathy or disappointment about a situation or condition. Example: "After seeing the state of the abandoned building, I thought to myself, it is really pitiful how neglectful the community has been."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As this is not their normal nature, it is really pitiful to see and should you take up this challenge, seek assistance from a local donkey organization.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It would have been really pitiful!

Huffington Post

As much as I hated causing them to make pitiful mewling noises it was really just three house cats being petulant about a closed door and everything was going to be OK.

Vice

It was really hard.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

It's really gone.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

It was really, really, difficult.

Ageing and Society

It was really really really good, something I really appreciated.

BMC Public Health

It makes a man invisible as a shareholder and changes him into various shapes, such as a pious Christian, a subscriber to hospitals, a benefactor of the poor, a model husband and father, a shrewd, practical independent Englishman, and what not, when he is really a pitiful parasite on the commonwealth".

Huffington Post

He said he had seen mother hawks tend their eggs for a month after their expiration date and allowed, "It's a really pitiful thing".

The New York Times

[The notion that the US is so poor that it faces ruin if it behaves responsibly is a really pitiful one.] View Article By Rivka Galchen By Jia Tolentino By Malcolm Gladwell By Zoë Heller.

The New Yorker

It's pitiful, really, that adults in this day and age still feel comfortable issuing these sexist mandates.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "It is really pitiful" to express strong empathy or disappointment when describing a situation. Ensure the context clearly warrants such a strong emotional response for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "It is really pitiful" in situations that require a neutral or objective tone. Overusing emotionally charged language can undermine your credibility and detract from the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It is really pitiful" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a strong negative judgment or assessment of a situation or condition. It communicates that something is so bad or unfortunate that it elicits feelings of pity, sorrow, or disappointment. The example from Ludwig illustrates this in the context of mistreated donkeys, highlighting their "pitiful" state.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "It is really pitiful" is a phrase used to express strong feelings of empathy, sorrow, or disappointment. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and can be used in a variety of contexts, although it is more common in news and media and less frequent in formal settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the situation warrants such a strong emotional response and avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "it is truly regrettable" or "it is deeply unfortunate" for more formal contexts. Remember to avoid overusing emotionally charged language in neutral contexts to maintain credibility. While "It is really pitiful" is a valid expression, its effectiveness lies in its judicious and appropriate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It is truly regrettable

Replaces "really pitiful" with a more formal term for expressing regret.

It is deeply unfortunate

Emphasizes the unfortunate nature of the situation.

It is incredibly sad

Focuses on the sadness evoked by the situation.

It is extremely disheartening

Highlights the discouraging aspect of the situation.

It is awfully depressing

Stresses the depressing nature of the situation.

It is sincerely lamentable

Uses a more elevated vocabulary to express sorrow.

It is genuinely pathetic

Conveys a sense of something being inadequate and deserving of pity.

It's quite heartbreaking

Focuses on the emotional distress caused by the situation.

It is truly sorrowful

Replaces "pitiful" with a more gentle term for expressing sorrow.

It's a real shame

Expresses a sense of disappointment and regret in a more casual way.

FAQs

What does "It is really pitiful" mean?

The phrase "It is really pitiful" expresses a strong feeling of sorrow, sadness, or disappointment about a particular situation or condition. It implies that something is so bad that it evokes pity or compassion.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "It is really pitiful"?

It's appropriate to use "It is really pitiful" when you want to emphasize the unfortunate or lamentable nature of something. It should be used when you genuinely feel a sense of pity or sorrow for the situation being described. Be careful not to overuse the phrase, as it can sound overly dramatic or insincere if applied to trivial matters.

What can I say instead of "It is really pitiful"?

You can use alternatives like "it is truly regrettable", "it is deeply unfortunate", or "it is incredibly sad" depending on the context.

How can I avoid misusing the phrase "It is really pitiful"?

Avoid using "It is really pitiful" in situations where a neutral or objective tone is required. Overusing emotionally charged language can dilute its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic. Ensure the context genuinely warrants a strong expression of pity or sorrow before using this phrase.