a lowly thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lowly thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is considered humble, insignificant, or of low status. Example: "He regarded his old job as a lowly thing, unworthy of his talents and ambitions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In "What Are Years" all but one of the last six verbs is "is," and yet the lines conclude with the colossal air-borne grandeur of church bells echoing on a frosty autumn morning:... Though he is captive, his mighty singing says, satisfaction is a lowly thing, how pure a thing is joy.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Turns out a lowly, inexpensive thing like the baking potato and the posh duck fat make a nice partnership.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is a tendency toward lofty words describing lowly things: "lambition" is "the act of licking or lapping," and toward words whose very existence seems unlikely: "frutescent," meaning "having or approaching the habit or appearance of a shrub".

The New Yorker

It certainly looked like an instance of powerful institutions and powerful people punishing a lowly private for revealing things that they would rather have kept hidden.

The New Yorker

On those I was just a lowly intern, but I was able to learn set etiquette and other things like dealing with celebs and paparazzi.

Vice

"I'm a lowly little college professor".

The New York Times

I'm just a lowly captain".

The Guardian - Sport

LONG before Baobab became a lowly journalist he scraped a living as a lowly academic.

The Economist

Other things -- like a White House sex scandal and the Nasdaq -- preoccupied us when he called us "the most filthy sort of human beings" and a "lowly people".

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm not interested in playing a lowly team.

The New York Times - Sports

He is ranked at a lowly 135 in the world.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lowly thing" to describe something that is simple or unimpressive, often to create a contrast with something grand or important. For example: "Despite being a lowly thing, a single act of kindness can have a profound impact."

Common error

Avoid using "a lowly thing" in highly formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes sound too informal or simplistic. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language to convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lowly thing" functions as a noun phrase, where "lowly" modifies the noun "thing". It acts as a descriptor, emphasizing the insignificant or humble nature of the noun it modifies. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lowly thing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something of little significance or value. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, although it is not exceedingly common. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly informal register. When writing, consider the context and formality level, and perhaps opt for synonyms like "an insignificant object" or "a humble item" in more formal settings. While simple, it's a useful phrase for creating contrast and highlighting the surprising potential of seemingly insignificant things.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an insignificant object

Replaces "lowly" with "insignificant" focusing on lack of importance, and "thing" with "object" for more concrete sense.

a humble item

Substitutes "lowly" with "humble" emphasizing modesty or lowliness and "thing" with "item", suggesting a concrete object with little value.

a trivial matter

Replaces the physical connotation of "thing" with "matter" to denote an issue of little importance. "Lowly" is replaced by "trivial" for insignificance.

an unimportant detail

Replaces "thing" with "detail" focusing on a small, often overlooked aspect. "Lowly" is replaced by "unimportant" for lack of significance.

a minor consideration

Substitutes "thing" with "consideration" suggesting something that requires little attention. "Lowly" is replaced by "minor" to underscore its unimportance.

a negligible entity

Replaces the everyday term "thing" with the more formal "entity" highlighting its status. "Lowly" is replaced by "negligible" emphasizing insignificance.

a paltry concern

Swaps "thing" for "concern" which indicates worry but is dismissed as diminutive by replacing "lowly" with "paltry".

a subordinate element

Emphasizes hierarchy and positioning instead of value. Replaces "thing" with "element", and "lowly" with "subordinate".

an inferior subject

Highlights the lack of value when referring to a topic or area of interest. Replaces "thing" with "subject" and "lowly" with "inferior".

a base object

Replaces "lowly" with "base" to highlight its unrefined, low-quality nature. "Thing" is replaced with "object" for a more tangible sense.

FAQs

How can I use "a lowly thing" in a sentence?

You can use "a lowly thing" to describe something that is humble, insignificant, or of low status, often to emphasize a contrast. For example: "Even "a lowly thing" like a paperclip can be surprisingly useful."

What's a good alternative to "a lowly thing"?

Alternatives include "an insignificant object", "a humble item", or "a trivial matter" depending on the context and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a lowly thing" formal or informal?

"A lowly thing" tends to be more informal. In formal contexts, consider using more precise language that conveys the specific type of lowliness you intend to describe, such as "an insignificant detail" or "a minor consideration".

What does "a lowly thing" typically describe?

It typically describes something physical or abstract that is considered humble, unimportant, or of low value. The emphasis is often on the contrast between this lack of significance and something more substantial or impressive.