lowly creature

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lowly creature" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a being that is humble, insignificant, or of low status, often in a poetic or literary context. Example: "In the grand scheme of the universe, we are but lowly creatures, striving for meaning and purpose."

✓ Grammatically correct

Literature

Religion

Ecology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

You keep expecting them to wake up with twitching noses and wormy tails, á la Gregor Samsa's literal embodiment of another lowly creature.

The New York Times - Books

Q: How can I, such a lowly creature on a developing planet, be special in Your eyes, as my faith teaches me that I am? MG: It's a balancing act.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Lowly creatures receive much thoughtful attention from Lux.

The New York Times - Books

Mark W. Moffett, the author of "Adventures Among Ants" and a student of the eminent biologist Edward O. Wilson, shares his mentor's fascination with the lowly creatures.

The New York Times - Travel

But ZEITGEIST AND GLAMOUR: Photography of the 60s and 70s (Pres­tel, $65), Nicola Erni's enormous new coffee-table book — not downloadable onto any ­iThing, it actually requires two hands and possibly a virile male companion to hoist — fixes the work of these lowly creatures, and those of the party photographers one rung up, with an almost ennobling glaze.

The New York Times - Books

On the downbeat, dogs are often referred to in songs as lowly creatures - as in dog's dinner, a dog's life, and the phrase "every dog having his day" implies the rest of the time it has an unimportant or miserable life.

The Guardian - Music

"The Bible says they're lowly creatures that are totally flat on the ground," says Hu. "There's a lot of vertical undulation, actually".

Science Magazine

Should a bottle of memory pills appear on your nightstand one day, a heap of credit will go to Tully and Kandel, with an assist from two lowly creatures: the fruit fly and the sea slug.

Forbes

The psalmist shows astonishment at the power of humans, which he characterizes as little less than the celestial creatures: Why should God have elevated such lowly creatures to such heights of power?

Huffington Post

Maybe it's because after centuries of being programmed by Pharaohs and Emperors, Christian priests and Mullahs the world over to consider ourselves lowly creatures "unworthy of gathering the crumbs under the Lord's table" we've got ourselves a species-wide inferiority complex?

Huffington Post

Should a bottle of memory pills appear on your nightstand one day, a heap of credit will go to Tully and Kandel, with an assist from two of God's lowliest creatures: the fruit fly and the sea slug.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lowly creature", consider the context to ensure the tone aligns with your intended message. The phrase often evokes sympathy or highlights the perceived insignificance of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "lowly creature" in highly formal or scientific writing unless you're aiming for a specific stylistic effect. More neutral terms may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lowly creature" typically functions as a noun phrase, where 'lowly' modifies the noun 'creature'. Ludwig AI suggests the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, serving to describe a being that is humble or insignificant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lowly creature" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that serves to describe a being of humble or insignificant status. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, while its applications span across literature, ecology, and religious discourse. Though not overly frequent, its impact resides in its evocative nature, often prompting feelings of sympathy or humility. When employing "lowly creature", writers should be aware of the potential undertones and ensure they align seamlessly with the broader intent and tone of the work. The phrase's authoritative sources include The New York Times and The Guardian, with a notable presence in both academic and journalistic spheres.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humble being

Replaces 'lowly' with 'humble', emphasizing a modest nature.

insignificant entity

Uses 'insignificant' to highlight the lack of importance or impact.

unassuming creature

Highlights the lack of pretension or showiness.

modest organism

Focuses on biological life but with a connotation of simplicity and lack of pretension.

minor life form

Emphasizes the subordinate rank or size of the organism.

unremarkable organism

Focuses on the ordinary and non-exceptional qualities.

common animal

Highlights the ordinariness and prevalence of the animal.

subordinate entity

Emphasizes the lower rank or position.

small being

Focuses on size and relative importance.

simple life

Emphasizes the basic nature of the organism's existence.

FAQs

How can I use "lowly creature" in a sentence?

You can use "lowly creature" to describe a being of humble status or appearance, such as: "The poet saw beauty even in the "lowly creature" crawling on the forest floor."

What can I say instead of "lowly creature"?

You can use alternatives like "humble being", "insignificant entity", or "modest organism" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "lowly creature" to describe a human?

Yes, "lowly creature" can be used to describe a human, often to emphasize humility or insignificance, especially in philosophical or religious contexts. However, consider the potential for negative connotations.

What is the difference between "lowly creature" and "pathetic creature"?

"Lowly creature" emphasizes a humble or insignificant status, while "pathetic creature" implies pity or evokes feelings of sadness and inadequacy.