lead to misery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lead to misery" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the consequences of actions or decisions that result in unhappiness or suffering. Example: "His reckless behavior can lead to misery for himself and those around him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Washington was right when he warned that black "agitation" would lead to misery and death and yet more hatred.

The New Yorker

Or do you insist that the new guy is just like the ex, and suggest that repeating the pattern will only lead to misery?

The New York Times

Men tend to marry before they are ready, in terms of the grief work that still must be done, which can lead to misery, more grief and even divorce.

The New York Times - Health

Traditionalists such as the pope believe that liberal self-actualisation is a delusion that can only lead to misery; feminists and egalitarians are sure that no one can be completely fulfilled in a patriarchal and hierarchical society.

The Guardian - Opinion

The excessive pride begets decisions that lead to misery, and the realization of the failure always comes too late to reverse it.

Forbes

If my wife and I had a child, that child would end up in an environment with no emotional bond between the parents, a situation that would surely lead to misery and anger as the years of that loveless marriage progressed.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Spiralling debts led to misery, which in turn led to drinking.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps this can also apply to all the other places in the world where intolerance leads to misery and death.

The New York Times

This incredibly moving story shows how deforestation leads to misery for the animals whose habitat was the forest.

The Guardian

She shows that in large chunks of life, the simplistic search for the perfect choice is not only impractical, but leads to misery.Marriage is one example.

The Economist

For anyone too young or too old to remember, that Red Sox division title only led to misery for the team and its fans.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lead to misery", ensure that the subject causing the misery is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Poor financial decisions often lead to misery."

Common error

Avoid using "lead to misery" in situations that are only slightly negative or inconvenient. Reserve it for scenarios involving significant suffering or distress to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lead to misery" functions as a causal verb phrase, indicating that a particular action, situation, or characteristic results in a state of unhappiness and suffering. Ludwig confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lead to misery" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to describe situations where actions or events result in significant unhappiness or suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears across varied sources like news, wiki, and scientific publications. When incorporating this phrase in your writing, ensure a clear subject to avoid ambiguity, and be mindful of using it appropriately in contexts where the level of suffering is indeed significant. Consider using alternatives such as "result in suffering" or "cause distress" to vary your language and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

result in suffering

Focuses on the experience of suffering as a consequence.

cause distress

Emphasizes the mental or emotional anguish caused.

bring about sorrow

Highlights the emotional sadness that follows.

precipitate anguish

Implies a sudden and intense experience of suffering.

engender unhappiness

Focuses on the creation or generation of a state of unhappiness.

spark grief

Highlights grief as a possible outcome.

initiate hardship

Focuses on the beginning or onset of difficult circumstances.

generate despair

Emphasizes the creation of a state of hopelessness.

induce woe

Highlights the causing of great sorrow or distress.

foster discontent

Focuses on promoting a feeling of dissatisfaction.

FAQs

How can I use "lead to misery" in a sentence?

You can use "lead to misery" to describe actions, situations, or choices that result in significant unhappiness or suffering. For example, "Unchecked ambition can "lead to misery" for everyone involved."

What are some alternatives to "lead to misery"?

Alternatives include "result in suffering", "cause distress", or "bring about sorrow", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "lead to misery" or "cause misery"?

"Lead to misery" implies a process or chain of events resulting in misery, while "cause misery" directly states that something is the source of misery. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the process or the direct cause.

What is the difference between "lead to misery" and "end in tragedy"?

"Lead to misery" focuses on the suffering and unhappiness experienced, while "end in tragedy" emphasizes a catastrophic or fatal outcome. Misery is a state of suffering, while tragedy suggests a more definitive and often irreversible event.