The phrase "a pathetic performance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a performance that is disappointing or lacking in quality, often in a critical context.
Example: "The actor's portrayal of the character was so lackluster that many in the audience described it as a pathetic performance."
Alternatives: "an abysmal performance" or "a dismal performance".
It was a pathetic performance.
What a pathetic performance that was".
After a pathetic performance in the last two tests against England, the Indian cricket team is pinning its hopes on the gifted Saurashtra all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to even the four-match series, whose final test starts Thursday in Nagpur.
But it was painful to watch the Australian youngster lay bare his soul, castigating himself for a "pathetic" performance, questioning whether he really loves this sport, even revealing that he had played computer games on the morning of a match that ran away from him after a tight first set.
Twelve months ago, Tottenham's season began to unravel with a couple of back passes at Anfield and a pathetic performance at the San Siro in the Europa League.
Asda, which provided one of last year's undoubted highlights – two women wrestling over a TV in Wembley, north London – now produced a frankly pathetic performance, restricting itself to dropping the price of unleaded petrol and destroying all hope of telly-based brawling.
Sullivan apologised to supporters via the club's official website for a "shambolic" and "pathetic" performance against Wolves in March as Zola's position became increasingly isolated.
The co-owner apologised to supporters for a "shambolic" and "pathetic" performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers in March as Zola's position became increasingly isolated.
He had warned his players of the assaults ahead, particularly from set-pieces, but they did not heed his words and, in a casual and almost pathetic performance, collapsed like a punctured souffle.
Given Judge Roberts's less than two and half years' experience on the bench, President Bush's decision to bypass the sitting justices is a diversion from his administration's pathetic performance in disaster management.
A dispirited but candid Rory McIlroy admitted to a "pathetic" putting performance after missing the cut at the US PGA Championship to ensure 2016 will conclude without a major win for the Northern Irishman.
