measures of misery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "measures of misery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing metrics or indicators that quantify levels of suffering or unhappiness in a particular context, such as social issues or mental health. Example: "The report provided various measures of misery, highlighting the impact of poverty on mental health in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There were other measures of misery.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Throughout the Great Recession and the not-so-great recovery, the most commonly discussed measure of misery has been unemployment.

The New York Times

For the New York Times, Michael Cooper reports on the struggles of some of the employed: Throughout the Great Recession and the not-so-great recovery, the most commonly discussed measure of misery has been unemployment.

The New Yorker

Life may be short, but is it short enough for the two men at the center of this brooding novel whose endless desire for the same woman seems to inspire an equally endless measure of misery?

The New York Times - Books

"This has created a huge amount of misery," he said.

The New Yorker

That the Rohingya consider the impoverished neighbor to be a refuge reflects a measure of their misery.

The New Yorker

But it is a measure of the misery of life in Haiti even under the best circumstances that people here say things were not much better when the government was in control.

The New York Times

Apart from the humidity, the heat index and any other measure of your misery above or below ground, there is another reason you may feel hotter on any given day than the announced temperature in Central Park would suggest: the official thermometer there is housed comfortably in the shade.

The New York Times

In a measure of the misery that still prevails in Kyrgyzstan, the country's president, Roza Otunbayeva, said Wednesday that one of her goals was to lift the country above its 164th place ranking, out of 178, on the Transparency International index of corruption.

The New York Times

In the world of humanitarian aid, where progress is usually measured in subtle increments of misery, the new product offers a rare satisfaction: swift, visible, fantastic efficacy.

The New York Times - Magazine

If I heard less of "Starred Up" than I wanted to, I heard more than I could bear of "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them," a romantic drama measured out in teaspoons of misery.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "measures of misery", ensure that the context clearly defines what constitutes "misery" to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether you are referring to economic hardship, emotional distress, or a combination of factors.

Common error

Avoid assuming a universal understanding of "misery". Clearly define the specific factors being measured to prevent misinterpretation. For instance, don't assume that everyone equates economic indicators with overall unhappiness without providing supporting context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "measures of misery" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe or refer to methods, metrics, or indices used to quantify or assess the level of suffering or unhappiness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "measures of misery" is a valid and frequently used phrase to describe metrics that quantify suffering or unhappiness. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is accurate and appropriate for use in written English. The phrase commonly appears in news, scientific, and business contexts, demanding clarity in defining what constitutes "misery" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "indicators of suffering" or "metrics of distress" can be used for nuanced expression. It's crucial to avoid overgeneralizing the definition of "misery" and to specify the factors being measured.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Indicators of suffering

Focuses on the suffering aspect, using a more general term.

Metrics of distress

Replaces "misery" with a more clinical term, "distress".

Quantifiable indicators of unhappiness

More explicitly defines the type of suffering being measured.

Assessment of human suffering

Shifts from measurement to assessment, emphasizing evaluation.

Indices of hardship

Replaces "misery" with "hardship", highlighting difficult conditions.

Markers of adversity

Uses "adversity" to represent negative circumstances.

Scales of unhappiness

Focuses on the emotional aspect using "unhappiness".

Barometers of despair

Emphasizes the depth of negative emotions with "despair".

Levels of deprivation

Highlights the lack of essential needs contributing to misery.

Degrees of wretchedness

Uses a more evocative term, "wretchedness", for misery.

FAQs

How can I use "measures of misery" in a sentence?

You can use "measures of misery" to describe metrics or indicators used to quantify suffering. For example: "The report provided various "measures of misery", highlighting the impact of poverty on mental health."

What are some alternatives to "measures of misery"?

Alternatives include "indicators of suffering", "metrics of distress", or "quantifiable indicators of unhappiness", depending on the specific context.

What does the Misery Index measure?

The Misery Index is an economic indicator that adds the unemployment rate and the inflation rate. It attempts to quantify the level of economic distress in a country.

How do you avoid ambiguity when discussing "measures of misery"?

Clearly define what constitutes "misery" in the context of your discussion. Specify whether you're referring to economic indicators, emotional distress, social factors, or a combination thereof.