in pitiable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in pitiable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being deserving of pity or sympathy, often in a negative context. Example: "The abandoned puppy was in pitiable condition, shivering and alone on the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Helen is also in pitiable shape, though she does a better job of hiding it.

The New York Times - Arts

And when that was cleared away, it was left in pitiable desuetude.

The Guardian

The hungry, spiraling deathward, try to cope in pitiable ways, selling all, eating fodder, wandering away to beg.

The New York Times

Mahan is supposed to be an objective evaluator, a judge with power over people in pitiable straits.

The New York Times - Books

The ABC broadcast brings front and centre a number of uncertainties, confusions and misconceptions about holding refugees in pitiable Pacific states.

The Guardian - Opinion

Others remain in Afghan prisons, many of them in pitiable conditions, crammed into dark underground cells with buckets for sanitation, no medical care and scraps for food.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Composers, for example – the people who are, after all, the heart of the artform – are in a pitiable state in this country, on average earning just £3,700 a year from their music, according to a study published by Sound and Music last year.

The Guardian - Opinion

The country's first culture minister was appointed two years ago, but the ministry produces few ideas about how to save, let alone promote, Nigeria's heritage.The ancient walled cities of Benin, in the south, and Kano, in the north, are in a pitiable state of decay.

The Economist

"I find myself once more in that pitiable role of the meliorist," he observed dryly in a 1990 letter to a journalist friend.

The New Yorker

That finally we're interested less in the physical events of the assassination than in the pitiable and stumbling spirit underlying them proves 'Libra' to be a triumph".

The New York Times - Books

From the wreckage I've rescued barely a thousand words in a pitiable state.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in pitiable" to evoke a sense of sorrow or compassion for a subject's condition or circumstances. This phrase is best suited for formal or descriptive writing where a nuanced emotional tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "in pitiable" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly dramatic or affected. Opt for simpler, more direct language like "in bad shape" or "in a tough spot" for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in pitiable" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier within a sentence. It describes the state or condition of a noun, indicating that it is deserving of pity or sympathy. Ludwig provides examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in pitiable" serves to describe something or someone as being in a condition that evokes pity or sympathy. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples of use. It tends to appear in neutral to formal writing contexts, particularly in news media, and is less common in casual settings. Alternatives include phrases like "in a pathetic state" or "in dire straits", offering similar shades of meaning while potentially adjusting the formality or emotional intensity. Using "in pitiable" effectively involves considering the context and aiming for a tone that appropriately conveys sorrow or compassion without sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a pathetic state

Replaces 'pitiable' with 'pathetic', emphasizing the emotional response of scorn or contempt along with pity.

in a heartrending condition

Uses 'heartrending' instead of 'pitiable', emphasizing the emotional pain or sorrow evoked by the condition.

in a wretched situation

Uses 'wretched' instead of 'pitiable', focusing on the extreme unhappiness or distress of the situation.

in a distressing situation

Replaces 'pitiable' with 'distressing', focusing on the anxiety and suffering caused by the situation.

in a deplorable condition

Substitutes 'pitiable' with 'deplorable', highlighting the state as deserving strong condemnation or disapproval.

in a grievous state

Substitutes 'pitiable' with 'grievous', highlighting the severe or serious nature of the state.

in a sorry plight

Replaces the phrase with 'sorry plight', emphasizing the unfortunate and precarious nature of the situation.

in lamentable circumstances

Replaces 'pitiable' with 'lamentable', emphasizing the regrettable or unfortunate aspect of the circumstances.

in a woeful predicament

Replaces 'pitiable' with 'woeful', highlighting the sadness and distress associated with the predicament.

in dire straits

Uses the idiom 'dire straits', indicating a situation of extreme difficulty or danger.

FAQs

How can I use "in pitiable" in a sentence?

You can use "in pitiable" to describe someone or something that is deserving of pity due to their unfortunate circumstances. For example, "The abandoned puppy was "in pitiable condition", shivering and alone."

What are some alternatives to "in pitiable"?

Some alternatives include "in a pathetic state", "in dire straits", or "in a wretched situation", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "in pitiable" formal or informal?

"In pitiable" leans towards the formal side. Simpler phrases like "in bad shape" might be more appropriate for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "in pitiable condition" and "in poor condition"?

"In pitiable condition" implies a greater degree of suffering or misfortune, evoking more sympathy than simply being "in poor condition". The former suggests an emotional response, while the latter is more objective.