he was miserable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was miserable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's emotional state, indicating that they were unhappy or in distress at a particular time. Example: "After losing his job, he was miserable and struggled to find motivation to get out of bed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He was miserable and terrified.

The New York Times

We were friends, but he was miserable".

Independent

He was miserable, and it showed.

The New York Times

But he was miserable in Germany.

The New York Times - Books

Then, when he wasn't performing, he was miserable as sin.

The Guardian - Opinion

I feel like he was miserable because I'm happy.

The Guardian - Music

At the A.I.S., he was miserable at first.

The New Yorker

But if he was miserable, you won't find much evidence of that here.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He's miserable, right?

The New York Times - Style

Needless to say, he's miserable.

The New York Times

He's miserable, not having any fun at all".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's emotional state, use "he was miserable" to convey a strong sense of unhappiness. Ensure the context clearly supports this level of distress.

Common error

Avoid using "he was miserable" too frequently in your writing. Vary your vocabulary to provide a richer description of emotional states, such as "he felt despondent" or "he was disheartened".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was miserable" functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing an individual's emotional state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase employs a subject (he), a linking verb (was), and a predicate adjective (miserable) to convey a sense of unhappiness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was miserable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe someone's profound unhappiness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility allows it to appear in diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in more informal settings. While effective in conveying a strong sense of distress, varying your vocabulary with alternatives like "he was unhappy" or "he was despondent" can enrich your writing. Remember to use this phrase accurately, ensuring the context reflects genuine emotional distress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was unhappy

Direct synonym, indicating a general state of not being happy.

he felt wretched

Indicates a stronger sense of misery and discomfort.

he was despondent

Suggests a deeper level of sadness and loss of hope.

he was crestfallen

Implies disappointment, especially after a setback.

he was disheartened

Highlights a loss of enthusiasm or motivation.

he was in despair

Expresses a state of complete hopelessness and loss of courage.

he was glum

Suggests a sullen and depressed mood.

he was dejected

Indicates sadness and discouragement due to failure or loss.

he was morose

Implies a gloomy and ill-tempered state.

he was forlorn

Suggests being lonely and sad, often due to abandonment.

FAQs

How can I use "he was miserable" in a sentence?

Use "he was miserable" to describe a state of intense unhappiness or discomfort. For example, "After the team lost the championship, he was miserable for days."

What are some alternatives to "he was miserable"?

You can use alternatives like "he was unhappy", "he felt wretched", or "he was despondent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he was miserably"?

No, "he was miserably" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "he was miserable". "Miserable" is an adjective describing his state of being, while "miserably" is an adverb typically used to modify a verb (e.g., "he failed miserably").

What is the difference between "he was miserable" and "he felt miserable"?

Both phrases are similar, but "he was miserable" states a condition, while "he felt miserable" describes a feeling or sensation. The difference is subtle, and they are often interchangeable. In the sentence, "he felt wretched" is interchangeable with "he was miserable".