miserable thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "miserable thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unfortunate, unpleasant, or evokes pity. Example: "Losing my job was a miserable thing to experience, but I am determined to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

That's a really miserable thing.

The New York Times

It's a miserable thing.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact, sex that's a pretty miserable thing to be doing.

The New Yorker

The hostile egotism of such a credo is a miserable thing.

The Guardian - Opinion

In chapter 14, Pip observes: It is a most miserable thing to feel ashamed of home.

The Guardian - Books

"It's a miserable thing to be thinking you're going to get kicked out after you're living all this time and you're retired," Mr. Bennett said in an interview.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

You like to rap about miserable things like crime, violence and poverty.

The Guardian

You have to be old enough to remember how thoroughly miserable things were under the Soviet regime.

The New Yorker

JON PARELES LOS CAMPESINOS! "Hello Sadness" (Arts & Crafts) The pleasure of Los Campesinos! is the pleasure of hearing Gareth Campesinos! talk — ramble, really — about miserable things.

The New York Times - Arts

Pictures were taken, too, and despite the breakup of Kim Manghisi's marriage, no one could tell from the photos how miserable things were.

The New York Times

Athletes in Sochi, I know that you risk it all to speak up, to draw attention to the miserable things happening there right now.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "miserable thing", ensure the context clearly establishes what is causing the misery. Providing specific details enhances the impact of the phrase.

Common error

While "miserable thing" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in informal conversations. Opt for more colloquial alternatives like "bummer" or "drag" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "miserable thing" functions as a noun phrase where "miserable" modifies the noun "thing". According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It often acts as a subject complement or object complement to describe a state or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "miserable thing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express negativity or dissatisfaction, as confirmed by Ludwig. While not highly frequent, it appears most commonly in news and media contexts. For alternatives, consider "unfortunate situation" or "wretched affair" depending on the intended nuance. When using "miserable thing", ensure the context makes clear what exactly causes the misery. As Ludwig's AI indicates, this phrase is more appropriate for neutral to slightly formal settings. Avoid overuse in casual conversation to maintain a natural communication style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunate situation

Replaces "thing" with a more formal noun, focusing on the circumstances.

wretched affair

Substitutes both adjectives and nouns to create a stronger, more negative connotation.

deplorable circumstance

Uses more formal and intense vocabulary to describe a regrettable situation.

pitiful state of affairs

Emphasizes the sadness and inadequacy of a given situation.

unhappy incident

Focuses on a specific event that caused distress or misery.

tragic event

Highlights the grave and sorrowful nature of the occurrence.

grievous matter

Uses formal language to point out the seriousness and sadness associated with a specific problem.

depressing ordeal

Emphasizes the prolonged and emotionally taxing nature of the event or situation.

dismal episode

Replaces "thing" with a more descriptive noun highlighting the negativity of the experience.

distressing occurrence

Focuses on the emotional upset caused by an incident or event.

FAQs

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

You can use "miserable thing" to describe something that causes unhappiness or distress. For example, "Losing my job was a "miserable thing" to experience."

What are some alternatives to saying "miserable thing"?

Alternatives include "unfortunate situation", "wretched affair", or "pitiful state of affairs", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "miserable thing" formal or informal?

"Miserable thing" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In very casual contexts, consider using more colloquial terms.

What makes "miserable thing" different from "terrible thing"?

"Miserable thing" implies a sense of unhappiness and suffering, while "terrible thing" suggests something is extremely bad or of poor quality. They share negativity, but the focus of the emotion differs.