in a miserable condition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a miserable condition" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe the physical or mental state of someone or something, often as a result of hardship or suffering. For example: The refugees camped in the desert were in a miserable condition, lacking basic necessities like food and water.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Finally, says Polybius, Hannibal "succeeded in getting his elephants across, but the animals were in a miserable condition from hunger".

The Guardian

One of the artificers, the quickest and the handiest workman among them all, with a slip of his foot fell down from a great height, and lay in a miserable condition, the physicians having no hope of his recovery.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Hundreds of Armenian women and men along with their children in a miserable condition were being driven along on foot, under the blows of whips and guns… whipping them along like flocks of sheep".

Independent

In a video for Oxfam a few weeks ago a woman who had lost her home to the floods stated it simply: "We are under the sky in this cold and our children are in a miserable condition".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After being eroded of Patgram and Andharmanik Bazar, the large traders currently become poor and survive in a miserable condition.

Environmental Systems Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

4. WRAP-UP/HOMEWORK: Students respond to the following prompt (written on the board for easier access): "In the article, Siddiqur Osmani states, 'Even in a very miserable condition you can be very happy if you are grateful for small mercies.' Reflect on this question in relation to the article, their personal experience, and today's class work.

The New York Times

We have no right to hand over a planet Earth that has less worth or in a more miserable condition than the planet we ourselves have had the good fortune to live on.

Huffington Post

"Even in a very miserable condition you can be very happy if you are grateful for small mercies," said Siddiqur Osmani, a professor of applied economics from the University of Ulster in Ireland.

The New York Times - Science

Squires was called an "old Gypsy Woman", who "robbed the girl of her stays; and then in a miserable naked Condition, because she would not become a common Prostitute, confined her in an old Back Room or loft".

Wikipedia

She said Alan had abandoned her and their two small children, leaving her with enormous legal fees that would keep them in a miserable financial condition for years and years to come.

Vice

An Israeli kidney buyer named Avriham, who used the same broker as Moshe Tati and traveled to Eastern Europe, described this notion in his own terms: "Why should I wait years just to have a kidney from someone who was in a car accident, pinned in his car for hours, then in miserable condition in the I.C.U. for days, and only then, after all that trauma, have part of him put inside me?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a specific event or situation, use "in a miserable condition" to emphasize the negative consequences on the affected individuals or entities.

Common error

Avoid using "in a miserable condition" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or technical language might be preferred. Instead, consider using terms that specify the exact nature of the condition, such as "severe economic hardship" or "critical health status".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a miserable condition" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing the state or situation it is in. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in expressing hardship or suffering.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a miserable condition" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to depict hardship or suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and highlights its use across various contexts, mainly in News & Media. While effective in conveying distress, it's important to consider the context and choose more specific language in formal settings. Remember to use the phrase to underscore the negative impact of events, but avoid overuse in contexts demanding technical precision. Alternatives such as "in dire straits" or "in a wretched state" offer similar meanings and can enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a wretched state

Replaces 'miserable condition' with 'wretched state', emphasizing the severity of the situation.

in dire straits

Uses a common idiom to indicate a difficult or dangerous situation.

in a deplorable state

Substitutes 'miserable' with 'deplorable', focusing on the regrettable nature of the condition.

in a sorry plight

Employs 'sorry plight' to describe a distressing and unfortunate situation.

in adverse circumstances

Focuses on the negative circumstances contributing to the condition.

in a state of destitution

Highlights extreme poverty and lack of resources.

experiencing great hardship

Shifts the focus to the experience of hardship.

in impoverished circumstances

Emphasizes the lack of wealth and resources.

in straitened circumstances

Indicates a reduction in financial comfort or resources.

badly affected

A more general phrase to describe a negative impact.

FAQs

How can I use "in a miserable condition" in a sentence?

You can use "in a miserable condition" to describe someone or something experiencing hardship or distress. For example, "The refugees were "in a miserable condition" after the earthquake".

What are some alternatives to saying "in a miserable condition"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in dire straits", "in a wretched state", or "in a deplorable state", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "in a miserable condition" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "in a miserable condition" might be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more precise or technical terms to describe the specific nature of the condition.

What's the difference between "in a miserable condition" and "in impoverished circumstances"?

"In a miserable condition" is a general phrase describing suffering or hardship, while "in impoverished circumstances" specifically refers to a lack of wealth and resources. The best choice depends on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.