a misery for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a misery for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that causes suffering or unhappiness for someone or something. Example: "The constant noise from the construction site has become a misery for the residents living nearby."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Roadblocks and curfews make ordinary living a misery for many.

The Economist

Zero tolerance not only prevents a minority from making life a misery for the rest.

The Economist

"Otherwise death will be a misery for you, boy," the philosophical counsellor warns.

The New Yorker

Planes approach low over west London, making life a misery for the people who live there.

The Economist

But she toughly stays alive, the upstairs neighbour from hell, making life a misery for them.

The Guardian

It made the festive season a misery for many and threw NHS policy into crisis.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

"A misery of clichés, reaching for kung fu movie kitsch but delivering nothing of the sort".

Vice

I had my best 2008 and then the system changed, then it was a misery year for me.

The Guardian - Sport

I calculated a misery index for the countries in MENA where sufficient data were available.

Huffington Post

A recipe for a lot of misery for a lot of people; I gather many suspect the church will drop the celibacy requirement and permit marriage before too long.

The Guardian

Fighting any war without the public sacrifice of a universal draft is an unjust misery for military personnel and their families.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a misery for" to express that something causes significant unhappiness, suffering, or hardship for someone or something. Ensure the context clearly indicates the source and recipient of the misery.

Common error

Avoid using "a misery for" when the source of suffering is unclear or ambiguous. Ensure the sentence structure explicitly identifies what is causing the misery and who or what is experiencing it. For example, instead of saying 'Life is a misery for all', specify 'The lack of clean water is a misery for the villagers'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a misery for" functions as a predicate nominative, describing the state or condition of something or someone. It follows a linking verb (e.g., 'is', 'becomes') and renames or identifies the subject, indicating that the subject is experiencing misery or causing it for others. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a misery for" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey that something is causing significant suffering or unhappiness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's frequently found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts, serving to express empathy or to criticize situations that inflict hardship. While several alternatives exist, such as "a source of suffering for" or "a hardship for", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the source and recipient of the misery to avoid ambiguity. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a source of suffering for

Replaces "misery" with "suffering", emphasizing the experience of pain and hardship caused.

a cause of distress for

Substitutes "misery" with "distress", highlighting the emotional anguish created.

a hardship for

Focuses on the difficulties and challenges imposed, rather than the emotional aspect.

a torment for

Emphasizes the severe pain and suffering inflicted.

an affliction for

Highlights the burden and negative impact on someone or something.

a trial for

Suggests a test or ordeal that causes difficulty and unhappiness.

a vexation to

Indicates something that causes irritation and annoyance.

a burden on

Focuses on the weight and responsibility imposed, causing difficulty.

a bane of

Highlights something that persistently causes problems or unhappiness.

a curse to

Emphasizes the negative and destructive impact, often with a sense of inevitability.

FAQs

How can I use "a misery for" in a sentence?

You can use "a misery for" to describe something that causes significant unhappiness or suffering, as in "The constant noise from the airport is a misery for the residents."

What are some alternatives to "a misery for"?

Alternatives include "a source of suffering for", "a cause of distress for", or "a hardship for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a misery for"?

Yes, "a misery for" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe something that causes unhappiness or suffering.

What's the difference between "a misery for" and "a burden on"?

"A misery for" emphasizes the suffering or unhappiness caused, while "a burden on" focuses on the weight or responsibility imposed. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the emotional distress or the difficulty created.