in a wretched state

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a wretched state" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most often used to describe someone or something that is in a state of extreme unhappiness, poverty, or illness. For example: "After months of living on the streets, the homeless man was in a wretched state; he had grown weak and ill, and his clothes were tattered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It is also in a wretched state.

The New York Times

Yet today the Arabs are in a wretched state.

The Economist

North Korea's economy is in a wretched state.

The Economist

The humans, by contrast, are in a wretched state.

Independent

Effectively abandoned by Europe, these children are trapped in a wretched state of suspended animation.

The Guardian

The Greek economy remains in a wretched state — it shrank by 7.5 percent in the fourth quarter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Much of the analysis of Manuel Vasquez, the state fire marshal in the Willingham trial, "didn't even meet the standards of 1991," a time that Mr. Lentini characterized as having "a wretched state of the art".

The New York Times

There is no shortage of stories to tell.Such a wretched state of affairs carries a price for India.

The Economist

How did we -- supposedly feeders in the culinary capital of America, snubbers of the mighty Ducasse, insisters on superlatives of everything we consume -- get into such a wretched state?

The New York Times - Magazine

That any commercial pilot should feel obliged to reassure his passengers that he is not homicidally depressed is a wretched state of affairs.

The Economist

He subsequently moved (kiss of death!) to New Jersey.How the Republicans found themselves in this wretched state dates back to the party's founding 150 years ago, and reflects its virtues at least as much as its failures.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a wretched state" to vividly depict conditions of extreme misery, neglect, or disrepair, adding emotional weight to your description. It is effective for emphasizing the severity of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "in a wretched state" in highly formal or professional documents where a more objective or clinical description is appropriate. Opt for phrases like "in poor condition" or "experiencing significant challenges" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a wretched state" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically sound and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it describing economies, physical conditions, and emotional states.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a wretched state" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used to describe conditions of extreme misery, disrepair, or neglect, and is frequently found in news and media sources. While effective for emphasizing the severity of a situation, it should be used judiciously in formal contexts where a more neutral tone is preferred. Related phrases like "in dire straits" or "in terrible condition" offer alternative ways to express similar sentiments. The phrase serves to communicate a negative evaluation, evoking feelings of pity or despair.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in dire straits

Implies a situation of great difficulty or distress, often financial.

in a terrible condition

Focuses on the physical or functional status of something or someone.

in a deplorable state

Emphasizes moral reprehensibility or disgrace in addition to poor condition.

in a sorry plight

Highlights the pitiable or unfortunate nature of the situation.

in a bad way

A more general expression for being in a difficult or undesirable situation.

in a miserable condition

Highlights the unhappiness and suffering experienced.

in a ruinous state

Implies significant damage or destruction.

in a dilapidated state

Specifically refers to a state of disrepair due to neglect.

in a desperate situation

Highlights the urgency and lack of hope in the circumstances.

in a parlous condition

Similar to "in dire straits", but less common.

FAQs

How can I use "in a wretched state" in a sentence?

You can use "in a wretched state" to describe something or someone in a terrible condition. For example, "The refugees were "in a wretched state" after the long journey".

What are some alternatives to "in a wretched state"?

Alternatives include "in dire straits", "in a terrible condition", or "in a deplorable state". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "in a wretched state" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "in a wretched state" might be too emotive for some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral language like "in poor condition" or "experiencing significant challenges" instead.

What does "in a wretched state" imply?

The phrase implies a condition of extreme unhappiness, poverty, disrepair, or neglect. It suggests that the subject is not only in poor condition but also evokes feelings of pity or despair.