it's miserable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it's miserable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, experience, or condition that is very unpleasant or unhappy. Example: "The weather today is so cold and rainy; it's miserable to be outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"It's miserable; the whole situation's miserable.

BBC

"I've lost elections before and it's miserable," he told the BBC's Andrew Marr show.

BBC

"It's miserable," said the member of Bani Walid's local council, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution by Misurata's fighters.

The New York Times

Well, it's wet and it's miserable on the day that Leicester City's footballers have been dreading for weeks, for this is the day that they have to tackle this: "The Hill," intones a somewhat Partridgean local TV news reporter in the early 1980s, on an old clip of the players in question embarking on their pre-season training.

The Guardian - Sport

But it was the snow that kids hate, because it's miserable for making snowballs or snowmen (though, as Monday's sun warmed it up, it became more available for winter weaponry).

The New York Times

"It's miserable," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

"It was miserable," she recalls of the band's last twilight.

The Guardian - Music

It is miserable.

The Economist

"It was miserable.

The New York Times - Sports

"Socially, it was miserable.

The Guardian

"It was miserable," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's miserable" when you want to convey a strong sense of personal unhappiness or dissatisfaction with a situation, ensuring that the context clearly reflects your subjective experience.

Common error

Avoid using "it's miserable" as a standalone statement without providing context. Ensure the sentence includes enough information to understand what is causing the misery (e.g., "The commute is miserable because of the constant traffic delays.").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's miserable" functions as an expression of subjective feeling or evaluation. According to Ludwig, the expression is valid. It ascribes a negative attribute to a situation, condition, or experience. Examples show its use in diverse contexts to communicate unhappiness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it's miserable" is a common and correct way to express unhappiness or dissatisfaction. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity. It's primarily used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, to convey negative feelings about various situations. To use it effectively, ensure you provide sufficient context to explain what is causing the misery. Consider alternatives like "it's awful" or "it's dreadful" for nuanced expressions. Avoid overuse without clear context to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's awful

Emphasizes the unpleasant nature of something, focusing on its capacity to inspire fear or dread.

it's dreadful

Highlights the shocking and deplorable quality of something, intensifying the negative feeling.

it's terrible

Expresses the severity of the negative impact or consequence of something, focusing on its destructive potential.

it's horrible

Emphasizes the repulsive or gruesome quality of something, intensifying the feeling of disgust or aversion.

it's wretched

Stresses the extreme unhappiness or state of misfortune associated with something, intensifying feelings of pity or despair.

it's depressing

Focuses on the capacity of something to induce sadness or melancholy, emphasizing its impact on mood or emotional state.

it's bleak

Highlights the absence of hope or positive prospects, emphasizing the desolateness or starkness of a situation.

it's grim

Focuses on the severe or somber character of something, stressing its potential to cause distress or apprehension.

it's distressing

Highlights the capacity of something to cause anxiety, sorrow, or pain, focusing on its emotional impact.

it's disheartening

Emphasizes the tendency of something to cause a loss of enthusiasm or confidence, focusing on its discouraging nature.

FAQs

How can I use "it's miserable" in a sentence?

You can use "it's miserable" to describe a situation, experience, or condition that is very unpleasant or unhappy. For example: "The weather today is so cold and rainy; "it's miserable" to be outside."

What are some alternatives to saying "it's miserable"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it's awful", "it's dreadful", or "it's terrible" to express a similar sentiment.

Is there a difference between "it's miserable" and "it was miserable"?

"It's miserable" describes a current state or situation, while "it was miserable" refers to a past experience. The tense indicates whether the misery is ongoing or has already occurred.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it's miserable"?

It is appropriate to use the phrase "it's miserable" when you want to express a strong feeling of unhappiness, discomfort, or dissatisfaction about a particular situation, condition, or experience. Ensure your audience understands the cause of the misery.