miserable state

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "miserable state" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a condition or situation that is extremely unhappy, uncomfortable, or unfortunate. Example: "After the storm, the town was left in a miserable state, with debris scattered everywhere and homes damaged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Meanwhile, Peggy is in a miserable state.

The New Yorker

The investment banking business is in a miserable state.

The New York Times

It's a miserable state to be in permanently.

The Guardian - Film

How did we arrive at such a miserable state of miscomprehension and self-righteousness?

Independent

That gives Mr Romney an opening, and explains why his campaign dwells endlessly on the miserable state of the economy.

The Economist

I asked Morales how, given the miserable state of Bolivia's infrastructure, such a transformation could be accomplished.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Bloomberg ranks the most and least miserable states.

The New York Times

While many of the happiest and most miserable states have remained the same, many other states, Witters added, have seen significant improvement over time.

Huffington Post

A Salem newspaper called Britain "more cruel than Sea-Monsters towards their young ones," and a meeting in Wrentham declared that Britain seemed to want to reduce colonists "to nothing short of the miserable and deplorable State of Conquered Slaves".

The New Yorker

They may not be aware how miserable the state pensions will be if they choose to blow their pension savings on the Lamborghini, or even the much more modest car that is actually affordable from the average pension pot.

The Guardian - Opinion

George Monbiot is launching a project seeking new framings for the protection of the nature, "prompted by the miserable, uninspiring state of the language of conservation" and policy-making: "'Environment' is a term that creates no pictures in the mind, which is why I have begun to use 'natural world' or 'living planet' instead".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "miserable state" to vividly describe situations marked by unhappiness, decay, or significant hardship. It can effectively convey a sense of despair or urgency.

Common error

While "miserable state" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal or professional writing. Consider more neutral alternatives like "challenging situation" or "difficult circumstances"/s/difficult+circumstances for a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "miserable state" functions primarily as a descriptive element within a sentence. It serves to characterize a noun (e.g., economy, country, condition) by ascribing to it a condition of distress, unhappiness, or poor quality. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "miserable state" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that effectively conveys a condition of unhappiness, distress, or poor quality. Ludwig AI validates its broad applicability across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. While generally neutral in register, it’s important to consider the formality of the surrounding text and choose more objective alternatives like "challenging situation" for highly formal settings. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist frequently employ this phrase, confirming its widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunate situation

Replaces "state" with a broader term, while maintaining a negative connotation.

deplorable condition

Uses a stronger adjective to emphasize the severity of the situation.

wretched plight

Employs more literary terms to depict a severely adverse situation.

dire circumstances

Shifts the focus to the external factors causing distress.

awful predicament

Highlights the challenging nature of the situation.

terrible shape

Uses a more informal expression to describe a bad condition.

grim reality

Focuses on the harsh truth of the situation.

sorry state of affairs

Emphasizes the regrettable nature of the circumstances.

difficult situation

A more general expression to describe hardship.

unhappy circumstances

Highlights the lack of happiness associated with the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "miserable state" in a sentence?

You can use "miserable state" to describe something that is in a very poor or unhappy condition. For example: "The economy is in a /s/terrible+state, leaving many people unemployed".

What are some synonyms for "miserable state"?

Alternatives include "deplorable condition", "unfortunate situation", or "wretched plight", each carrying a slightly different nuance of negativity and severity.

Is "miserable state" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, it might be perceived as slightly informal. Consider using more objective terms like "challenging situation" or "difficult circumstances" in highly formal academic contexts.

What's the difference between "miserable state" and "sad state"?

"Miserable state" implies a greater degree of suffering and adversity than "sad state". The former often suggests a more prolonged or severe period of difficulty, while the latter might describe a temporary or less intense unhappiness.