miserable to hear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "miserable to hear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is unpleasant or distressing to listen to, often in the context of news or information. Example: "The news of the disaster was truly miserable to hear, leaving everyone in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Poor Czechs are too miserable to hear him; the rich ones too busy and greedy.The biggest criticism of Mr Havel is the lack of a political heir or legacy.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But while God paid attention to the cry of the miserable, God refuses now to hear the cry of the powerful.

Huffington Post

It was common to hear Democratic senators say, "Joe is miserable.

The New York Times

Hoping to hear The Whiner whine about how miserable the sock puppets were, the Chenbot was disappointed when The Whiner enjoyed the sock puppets.

Huffington Post

And it's where, standing in the motel lobby, I had no choice but to hear my host berating his mother over the miserable behavior of her grandchildren (his kids).

Los Angeles Times

Of course it is welcome to hear top rank politicians facing up to the manifestly miserable results of mass incarceration, which include widespread recidivism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fans were no less delighted to hear that the singer wrote "Piano Man" about his miserable-sounding early '70s gig in a lounge at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue.

Los Angeles Times

This, I've been informed, is to demonstrate the miserable level of audio quality that we're used to hearing these days.

Independent

They were miserable to our kids.

The New York Times

"Sounds pretty miserable to be loved for your art.

The New Yorker

Bad habits that go unchecked can be miserable to break.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "miserable to hear" to describe news or information that causes distress or sadness. It is particularly effective when conveying a sense of empathy or concern.

Common error

Avoid using "miserable to hear" to describe something that is merely inconvenient or annoying. This phrase is best reserved for situations that evoke genuine sorrow or suffering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "miserable to hear" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (often implied, such as 'news' or 'information'). According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and used to express that something is unpleasant or distressing to listen to.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "miserable to hear" is a grammatically sound and effective way to express sorrow or distress upon hearing unfortunate news. As Ludwig AI explains, it's considered correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like ""distressing to hear"" or ""painful to listen to"" exist, "miserable to hear" carries a specific weight of empathy and concern. Avoid using it in trivial situations to maintain its impact and appropriateness. The phrase is relatively uncommon but authoritative sources frequently use it, reinforcing its validity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpleasant to listen to

Replaces "miserable" with "unpleasant", focusing on the disagreeable quality of the sound.

distressing to hear

Substitutes "miserable" with "distressing", emphasizing the emotional impact of the sound.

painful to listen to

Replaces "miserable" with "painful", highlighting the suffering caused by the sound.

hard to listen to

Emphasizes the difficulty in enduring the sound, rather than its inherent quality.

awful to hear

Uses "awful" instead of "miserable", expressing a strong sense of dislike or disgust.

terrible to hear

Similar to "awful", but conveys a sense of severity or misfortune.

unbearable to hear

Stresses the intolerable nature of the sound, suggesting it is beyond one's capacity to endure.

depressing to hear

Focuses on the sadness or gloom evoked by the sound.

heartbreaking to hear

Highlights the emotional pain and sorrow caused by the sound.

tragic to hear

Emphasizes the catastrophic or devastating nature of the information being conveyed.

FAQs

How can I use "miserable to hear" in a sentence?

You can use "miserable to hear" to describe information or news that evokes sadness or distress. For example, "The news of the factory closing was truly "miserable to hear"."

What are some alternatives to saying "miserable to hear"?

Alternatives include "distressing to hear", "painful to listen to", or "unpleasant to listen to", depending on the specific context and emotion you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "miserable to hear" in formal writing?

Yes, "miserable to hear" is appropriate for formal writing when describing genuinely distressing news or situations. However, consider the tone and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall message.

What's the difference between "sad to hear" and "miserable to hear"?

"Miserable to hear" conveys a stronger sense of distress and suffering than "sad to hear". "Sad" implies a general feeling of unhappiness, while "miserable" suggests a deeper, more profound sense of sorrow.