is a pitiful task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is a pitiful task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task that is considered sad, inadequate, or deserving of pity. Example: "Cleaning up after the party is a pitiful task, especially when no one else helps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

His is a pitiful task.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This is a pitiful value.

The New York Times - Food

It is a pitiful amount.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a pitiful waste," he said.

The Guardian

Given the Bears' hefty history, that is a pitiful drought.

The New York Times - Sports

Now, each is a "pitiful, helpless giant," a weakling among invincible bullies.

The New Yorker

"In that sense, people would say he is a tragic figure; other people would say he is a pitiful figure.

The New York Times

In almost every other state of the union, a minor party is a pitiful exercise in political futility.

The New Yorker

Yeltsin is a pitiful, weak figure, incapable of bringing order out of chaos.

Forbes

He's a pitiful sight.

The New Yorker

It was a pitiful end.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is a pitiful task" when you want to express that a job or duty is not only difficult or unpleasant, but also evokes a sense of sadness or commiseration. Ensure the context aligns with the tone of pity or inadequacy.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "is a pitiful task" leans towards informal or emotive language. Avoid it in professional or academic writing where a more neutral or objective description is required. Consider alternatives like "challenging task" or "difficult undertaking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a pitiful task" functions as a descriptive statement, where "pitiful" modifies the noun "task". It serves to express a subjective assessment of the task, highlighting its negative qualities. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is a pitiful task" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a task that is not only difficult but also evokes a sense of sadness or inadequacy. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most commonly found in News & Media contexts and carries a neutral register, making it suitable for opinion pieces or descriptive narratives. While the phrase is correct, be mindful of its slightly emotive tone, which might not be suitable for all formal settings. Consider alternative phrases like "is a regrettable duty" or "is a sorry chore" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a regrettable duty

Replaces 'pitiful' with 'regrettable', focusing on the feeling of sorrow or disappointment associated with the task.

is a sorry chore

Substitutes 'pitiful' with 'sorry' and 'task' with 'chore', indicating a task that is unpleasant and undesirable.

is a pathetic undertaking

Replaces 'pitiful' with 'pathetic' and 'task' with 'undertaking', emphasizing the inadequacy or futility of the task.

is a miserable assignment

Changes 'pitiful' to 'miserable' and 'task' to 'assignment', highlighting the unhappiness or distress the task causes.

is a disheartening endeavor

Replaces 'pitiful' with 'disheartening' and 'task' with 'endeavor', stressing the discouraging nature of the task.

is an unenviable job

Replaces the entire phrase with 'unenviable job', conveying that the task is one that nobody would want.

is a wretched activity

Substitutes 'pitiful' with 'wretched' and 'task' with 'activity', underscoring the unpleasant or distressing nature of the task.

is a lamentable operation

Replaces 'pitiful' with 'lamentable' and 'task' with 'operation', focusing on the regrettable aspect of the task.

is a grueling exercise

Changes 'pitiful' to 'grueling' and 'task' to 'exercise', emphasizing the demanding and exhausting nature of the task.

is a thankless effort

Replaces the original phrase to express that the task brings no recognition or appreciation despite the labor involved.

FAQs

How can I use "is a pitiful task" in a sentence?

You can use "is a pitiful task" to describe a job or duty that is not only difficult or unpleasant, but also evokes a sense of sadness or commiseration. For instance, "Cleaning up the park after the storm "is a pitiful task", seeing all the damage".

What are some alternatives to saying "is a pitiful task"?

Alternatives to "is a pitiful task" include phrases like "is a regrettable duty", "is a sorry chore", or "is a pathetic undertaking", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "is a pitiful task" and "is a difficult task"?

"Is a difficult task" simply indicates that a task is challenging to complete. "Is a pitiful task", on the other hand, suggests that the task is not only difficult but also evokes a sense of sadness, inadequacy, or deserving of pity. The emotional connotation is the key difference.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "is a pitiful task"?

The phrase "is a pitiful task" is suitable in contexts where you want to express not only the difficulty of a task but also its capacity to evoke sympathy or a sense of inadequacy. This phrase is appropriate in informal and some news/opinion contexts, but it's important to avoid excessive use in formal or professional settings.