feeble comedy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeble comedy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a type of humor or comedic performance that is weak, ineffective, or lacking in quality. Example: "The film was meant to be a comedy, but it turned out to be a feeble comedy that failed to elicit any laughs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Thirty years ago Dudley Moore cavorted through a feeble comedy about a drunken playboy on the loose in Manhattan.

Independent

Three years elapsed before Good Sam (1948), a feeble comedy in which Gary Cooper played a compulsive doer of good deeds, a trait that upsets his long-suffering wife (Ann Sheridan).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Actually, even that small but spectacularly useful Yiddish word, with its infinite capacity for inflection, won't suffice to register the proper dismay at this slapdash, feeble-witted comedy.

The New York Times

So if I may borrow a little vocabulary from the business pages, I am hereby putting a strong sell recommendation on "Burleigh Grime$," a feeble-witted comedy about dirty dealings on Wall Street that opened last night at New World Stages.

The New York Times

The Facts Of Life (1960), which dealt with Hope and Lucille Ball carrying on an unconsummated adulterous affair, began a string of feeble sex comedies - futile attempts to participate in the "permissive society" and offering sad evidence of the comedian's decline on screen.

The Guardian

What this feeble, harmless romantic comedy calls to mind is an extra-long episode from one of the show's interminable final seasons, in which the cast seemed to change every week and nobody could remember if Donna was still a virgin or not, because nobody -- not the audience, not the writers, not even the long-suffering David -- cared.

The New York Times

Her brilliance led the director Elia Kazan to cast her as Abra, opposite James Dean, in East of Eden (1955), but much of the screen work that followed immediately afterwards was feeble, including a British comedy, The Truth About Women (1957) and Sally's Irish Rogue (1958).

The Guardian

It may sound like the winner of a Feeblest Possible Title for a Hollywood Comedy competition, but there is a film coming out next week called Office Christmas Party.

The Guardian - Film

That ended almost as soon as NBC began its bizarre programming switcheroo, as the feeble ratings of Mr. Leno's new 10 p.m. comedy show alarmed the network's local affiliates.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet, "Masterminds" eked out a feeble $6.6 million, a disastrous result for the mid-budget comedy.

Huffington Post

Many associate the golden gong with the relatively feeble films made in the 1950s - the Norman Wisdom comedies, Doctor in the House, Genevieve, all those John Mills war movies.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a comedy as "feeble", provide specific examples of what makes it weak, such as predictable jokes, poor writing, or uninspired performances.

Common error

Avoid using "feeble comedy" as a generic insult. Ensure your critique is supported by concrete observations about the comedic work's shortcomings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeble comedy" functions as a descriptive term, where "feeble" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "comedy". It serves to characterize a comedic work as weak, ineffective, or lacking in quality, as supported by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feeble comedy" is a descriptive phrase used to denote a comedic work that is weak or ineffective. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples of its usage in contexts such as news and media, and encyclopedias. While relatively uncommon, the phrase serves a clear purpose in expressing negative evaluations of comedic performances. Related phrases, such as "weak comedy" or "poor comedy", offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings. When using the phrase, ensure it is supported by specific examples to avoid overuse or unjustified criticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Weak comedy

Replaces "feeble" with a synonym emphasizing lack of strength or effectiveness.

Poor comedy

Uses a more general term for low quality, applicable to various aspects of the comedy.

Ineffectual comedy

Highlights the comedy's failure to achieve its intended effect.

Uninspired comedy

Focuses on the lack of originality or creativity in the comedic effort.

Lame comedy

A more informal term indicating weakness or inadequacy.

Subpar comedy

Indicates the comedy is below the expected or average standard.

Failed comedy

Emphasizes that the comedic attempt was unsuccessful.

Tiresome comedy

Suggests the comedy is boring and lacks energy.

Unfunny comedy

Directly states the comedy's lack of humor.

Disappointing comedy

Conveys a sense of unmet expectations regarding the comedy's quality.

FAQs

How can I describe a comedy that is not funny?

Instead of saying "feeble comedy", which implies a lack of strength, you could use phrases like "unfunny comedy", "lame comedy", or "uninspired comedy" to directly address the lack of humor.

What is the difference between a "feeble comedy" and a "dark comedy"?

A "feeble comedy" refers to a comedy that is weak or ineffective in its humor. Dark comedy, on the other hand, uses dark or tragic subjects to create humor. One can be weak in its purpose, the other uses strong or shocking elements to generate comedy.

Is "feeble comedy" a formal or informal way to describe a poorly made comedy?

"Feeble comedy" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more appropriate for reviews or critical analysis rather than casual conversation. Simpler terms like "poor comedy" or "bad comedy" might be better for informal settings.

What are some synonyms for "feeble" that I could use to describe other things besides comedy?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "weak", "frail", "ineffective", "inadequate", or "lacking" to describe something that is "feeble".