pathetic lot

USAGE SUMMARY

"pathetic lot" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a group of people or things that are considered disappointing or pitiful. For example, "We were a pathetic lot, having failed the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Her exes, including a puppeteer who is shown in an amusing flashback bringing his puppet into bed with Ally as a third party, are a mostly pathetic lot.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Terse lyricism, vicious comedy, masculinity that's at once aggressive and pathetic, lots and lots of swear words: virtually every facet of the Mamet persona gets a note or two in this aria of testosterone.

The New York Times - Books

What a pathetic bunch.

The New York Times

The latest attempted putsch against Gordon Brown was damaging in what it revealed about how the cabinet regard him, even though this plot turned out to be the most pathetic of the lot.

The Guardian - Opinion

Chris, who is far less pathetic and a lot more sensible than me, opts to ask about his career.

Vice

In the first category, we have notes from Fran Lebowitz, who states what might seem obvious: "For a movie star to look pathetic, it takes a lot".

The New York Times

"It sounds a lot less pathetic if you say 'crashing.' " Joe wants Anthony to work at his hair salon and eventually prevails on him to pick up a few shifts.

The New York Times

But the whole kabuki dance just got a lot more pathetic when you see Jerry Brown, a Democrat, triangulating as the Republicans' Enabler in Chief.

Huffington Post

Just because a lot of pathetic people need to dwell on the director's supposed indecency to make themselves feel decent in comparison, doesn't mean that normal evidentiary standards should be abandoned in the Polanski matter.

Huffington Post

The transactions have always ultimately been based on the same pathetic reality: poor women — and lots and lots of them in those countries that have large populations and place too little value on the female sex — must peddle their bodies and their dignity to whoever has the power to demand them.

The New York Times - Books

It was a deeply pathetic bit of masculinist boasting – but for a lot of even more pathetic American men, the great impotent horde, it became a point of identification.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pathetic lot" when you want to express a strong sense of disappointment, inadequacy, or pity towards a group. Be mindful of the audience, as the phrase carries a negative connotation.

Common error

While "pathetic lot" is acceptable in informal writing or speech, avoid using it in formal or professional settings. Opt for more neutral language, such as "disappointing group" or "underperforming team".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pathetic lot" functions as a descriptive expression, typically used to convey a negative judgment about a group. Ludwig confirms this usage with examples highlighting disappointment or inadequacy. It acts as a noun phrase modified by the adjective 'pathetic'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pathetic lot" is a phrase used to describe a group deemed inadequate or disappointing. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its common appearance in news and media. The phrase carries a negative connotation and is best suited for informal contexts. Alternatives such as "pitiable group" or "disappointing group" might be more appropriate in formal settings. While grammatically sound, remember to use the phrase judiciously considering the potential for offense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disappointing group

Replaces "pathetic" with "disappointing" focusing on the failure to meet expectations.

pitiful crew

Substitutes "pathetic" with "pitiful", highlighting the group's state of deserving compassion.

pitiable group

Replaces "pathetic" with "pitiable", emphasizing the compassion or sympathy one might feel.

sorry bunch

Uses "sorry" to convey a sense of regret or inadequacy in the group's performance or state.

tragic bunch

Using "tragic" highlights the unfortunate or sad circumstances associated with the group.

wretched crew

Employs "wretched" to highlight the group's unfortunate or miserable condition.

miserable collection

Replaces "lot" with "collection", suggesting a gathering of individuals in a state of misery.

unfortunate gathering

Uses "unfortunate" to emphasize the bad luck or unfavorable circumstances surrounding the group.

deplorable assembly

Replaces "pathetic" with "deplorable", stressing the disapproval or disgust felt towards the group.

lamentable set

Uses "lamentable" to express regret or sorrow over the group's state or actions.

FAQs

What does "pathetic lot" mean?

The phrase "pathetic lot" describes a group of people or things that are considered to be inadequate, disappointing, or deserving of pity.

What can I say instead of "pathetic lot"?

You can use alternatives like "pitiable group", "sorry bunch", or "disappointing group" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "pathetic lot" in formal writing?

No, "pathetic lot" is generally considered informal and should be avoided in formal writing. More neutral alternatives are preferable.

How can I use "pathetic lot" in a sentence?

You might say, "The team's performance was a pathetic lot" or "The candidates presented were a pathetic lot, lacking the necessary experience."