immense misery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immense misery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of extreme suffering or unhappiness. Example: "The war left the country in immense misery, with countless families displaced and struggling to survive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Facing present problems of crop failure, destruction of fisheries, loss of biodiversity and flooding, many have already fled to neighboring India, where they endure lives of immense misery and discrimination.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The civil war has produced "immense human misery," he said, including the bombing and displacement of civilians and the operation of a slave trade.

The New York Times

The rationale that liquor revenues raise valuable money to invest in social welfare programmes is akin to dealing with "blood money" earned by causing immense family miseries and tragedies.

BBC

As a teenager, I had immense periods of misery.

The Guardian

There is immense suffering and personal misery here: grieving survivors, financial ruin, smelly bodies, no running water, frigid outdoor toilets, endless boredom and the prospect of sleeping on a hard floor with complete strangers for weeks — even months — to come.

The New York Times

And the toll in misery is immense.

Huffington Post

Yes, Nyerere as a person was the antithesis of the thugs who had taken over so many of Africa's other nations, but his socialistic policies did immense damage, thwarting prosperity and entrepreneurial instincts, and increasing misery.

Forbes

In 2002, the writer Augusto Monterroso wrote: "The unique, truly hyper-real characteristic of Mexico is its social inequality; the misery that marks the everyday life of the immense majority of Mexicans".

The Guardian

Riding takes on an immense topic and succeeds in demonstrating that even through war and sorrow and misery, art was created, books were written and, in the worse moments of destruction, there was also creation.

The Guardian - Books

What misery?

The New Yorker

Misery sells.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of large-scale events such as natural disasters or conflicts, use "immense misery" to effectively convey the widespread suffering experienced by the affected populations.

Common error

Avoid using "immense misery" to describe minor inconveniences or everyday frustrations. This phrase is most effective when used to depict profound suffering and can sound hyperbolic if applied to trivial situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immense misery" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "immense" modifies the noun "misery". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to describe a state of extreme suffering or unhappiness. The examples show its use in contexts involving widespread suffering and distress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immense misery" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe profound suffering and distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is effective in conveying the gravity of situations involving significant loss or pain. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to evoke empathy and highlight the severity of adverse circumstances. While the phrase is appropriate for formal writing, overuse in trivial situations should be avoided to maintain its impact. Alternative phrases such as "extreme suffering" or "deep anguish" can be used to provide nuanced descriptions of suffering.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extreme suffering

Replaces "misery" with a more general term for suffering and "immense" with "extreme", indicating a very high degree of suffering.

profound suffering

Uses "profound" to emphasize the depth and intensity of suffering, conveying a sense of deep emotional or physical pain.

deep anguish

Substitutes "misery" with "anguish", highlighting the mental or emotional torment experienced.

great distress

Replaces "misery" with "distress", indicating a state of worry, pain, or suffering.

terrible affliction

Replaces "misery" with "affliction", suggesting a cause of great suffering or distress.

grave hardship

Focuses on the difficult or challenging conditions causing distress rather than the emotional state itself.

acute wretchedness

Emphasizes the extreme unhappiness or suffering of a situation, using a stronger word choice.

unfathomable sorrow

Uses "sorrow" to convey deep sadness and "unfathomable" to express the inability to fully understand or measure the extent of the sadness.

severe destitution

Highlights the state of extreme poverty and deprivation as a cause of misery.

overwhelming despair

Focuses on the feeling of hopelessness and loss of courage, replacing misery with a more psychological term.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "immense misery" in a sentence?

Use "immense misery" to describe situations involving widespread suffering, significant loss, or deep emotional pain. It's suitable for formal writing and news reporting to convey the gravity of a situation.

What are some alternatives to "immense misery" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "extreme suffering", "profound suffering", or "deep anguish" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "immense misery" suitable for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "immense misery" is generally better suited for formal writing, news reports, or academic papers where a serious tone is required. In informal contexts, consider using less intense expressions like "great sadness" or "terrible time".

What's the difference between "immense misery" and "great suffering"?

"Immense misery" and "great suffering" are quite similar, both conveying a high degree of pain and distress. "Immense misery" might emphasize the emotional and psychological aspects of the suffering, while "great suffering" can encompass both physical and emotional pain.