feel pitiful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel pitiful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a sense of sympathy or sorrow for someone or something that is in a sad or unfortunate situation. Example: "After hearing her story, I couldn't help but feel pitiful for her struggles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As much as I love all the wonderful things I can do thanks to my newfound independence, I'm also finding that some of these things many of which I've been doing for many years while living with roommates suddenly feel pitiful.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

ka-nahriq-un = mu__ku'__qulih STA-pitiful-UV = 1S.GEN__ABS__fish I felt pity for the fish.    .

Lingua Sinica

Fish will be there, of course, hiding in the core of the murk near the figurine, playing possum, so that she will, when she sees him, feel the pitiful sinking in her gut — remembering the preschool field trip to Pet Universe — and a sorrow so deep it will send her to her knees to weep.

The New Yorker

All of this seemed to be designed to make American parents feel downright pitiful.

Huffington Post

Who knew that a tiny, 11-pound baby could make a grown man feel so pitiful?

Huffington Post

We're all starting to feel self-deprecating and pitiful-kind of like a certain Toronto hockey team.

Vice

It just felt kind of pitiful".

The New York Times - Magazine

Drug decriminalisation is a policy they've quietly backed for a while, but choosing to trumpet it now feels like a pitiful attempt to appeal to young voters – the group most likely to believe drug laws should be liberalised.

The Guardian - Opinion

We feel little compassion for the pitiful people who carry out such heinous crimes.

Huffington Post

Fidelia writes, "You recall the pitiful Cuban stores and feel, actually feel, the across-the-board failure of a materialism devoid of substance".

The New York Times - Books

Equally, I could never feel trust in their party, having seen their pitiful performance in a coalition.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel pitiful" when you want to express a combination of sadness and contempt for a situation or person. Be mindful that the term can sometimes be perceived as condescending.

Common error

While "feel pitiful" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem overly emotional or subjective. Consider using more neutral language like "observe with concern" or "recognize the unfortunate circumstances" to maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel pitiful" functions as a verb phrase where "feel" is a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "pitiful", which describes the state or condition being experienced. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel pitiful" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a subjective emotional state, typically involving a mix of sorrow and contempt. As Ludwig confirms, it's a usable phrase in various contexts, though it's crucial to consider the tone it projects. While generally acceptable in news and media, it's important to avoid overuse in formal settings to maintain objectivity. Alternatives such as "feel sorry for" or "feel compassion for" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel sorry for

Emphasizes a direct feeling of regret or sadness for someone else's situation.

feel compassion for

Highlights a deep sense of empathy and concern for someone's suffering.

feel a sense of pity

Formal phrasing stressing the emotion of pity felt towards someone or something.

feel sympathy for

Focuses on understanding and sharing the feelings of another person.

feel regretful

Shifts the focus to a personal feeling of remorse or disappointment.

feel pathetic

Conveys a sense of inadequacy or worthlessness in oneself.

feel disheartened

Implies a loss of enthusiasm or hope, often due to disappointment.

feel aggrieved

Expresses a sense of injustice or resentment due to unfair treatment.

feel wretched

Highlights a state of extreme unhappiness or misery.

feel dejected

Suggests a state of low spirits or depression.

FAQs

What does it mean to "feel pitiful"?

To "feel pitiful" means to experience a sense of sorrow, compassion, or even disdain for someone or something in a perceived state of distress or inadequacy.

How can I use "feel pitiful" in a sentence?

You can use "feel pitiful" to describe your emotional response to a situation. For instance, "I "feel sorry for" anyone who has to work on weekends."

What are some synonyms for "feel pitiful"?

Alternatives to "feel pitiful" include phrases like "feel sorry for", "feel compassion for", or "feel sympathy for", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to always use "feel pitiful" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "feel pitiful" may come across as overly emotional in certain formal contexts. Consider alternatives that maintain a more objective or neutral tone.