pitiable group

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pitiable group" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of people or entities that evoke sympathy or compassion due to their unfortunate circumstances. Example: "The documentary highlighted the struggles of a pitiable group living in extreme poverty, drawing attention to their dire needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"These embittered replacements were a most pitiable group, lonely, despised and untrained, deeply shocked by the unexpected brutalities of the front line and often virtually useless".

The New York Times - Books

12), Alan Riding quotes Fussell writing about members of the Army Specialized Training Program: "These embittered replacements were a most pitiable group, lonely, despised and untrained, deeply shocked by the unexpected brutalities of the front line and often virtually useless".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The Knights of Prosperity" and "In Case of Emergency" have similar conceits: each revolves around a group of pitiable male losers and one very pretty woman who puts up with them.

The New York Times

And Egan's unhinged singer spends his days fishing in the East River alongside a group of derelicts — a pitiable checkpoint to Led Zeppelin's misadventures — while his former bandmate, having surrendered to a life within the music industry's corporate boardrooms, flourishes.

The New York Times - Books

But the group whose plight is made most pitiable by the Saturday night Valentine's Day long weekend are those souls who have just embarked on Relationships with a capital "R". These hapless creatures must walk a line between appearing callous or overeager.

The New York Times - Style

How pitiable that is!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Pitiable or potent?

The New York Times

We are pitiable.

The New York Times - Magazine

The pitiable African woman.

The Guardian

Initially, his grovelling was pitiable.

The New Yorker

Can anything be more pitiable?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "pitiable group", ensure the context clearly establishes the reasons for their unfortunate circumstances to evoke genuine sympathy and understanding from the audience.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the description of a "pitiable group" to the point where it seems manipulative or insincere. Let the facts speak for themselves and allow the audience to draw their own conclusions about the extent of their misfortune.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pitiable group" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. The adjective "pitiable" describes the quality of the group, indicating that they are deserving of pity or compassion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pitiable group" is used to describe a collection of individuals who are deserving of sympathy or compassion due to their unfortunate circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase. While relatively rare, its use is appropriate in contexts where the intention is to evoke empathy. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase carries a neutral register. Consider alternatives such as "poor souls" or "unfortunate cluster" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor souls

A more compassionate and direct way to express pity for a group of people.

unfortunate cluster

Substitutes with "unfortunate", focusing on bad luck, and "cluster" suggesting a close grouping.

pathetic bunch

Changes the adjective to "pathetic" and noun to "bunch", implying a slightly more negative and dismissive tone.

tragic figures

Focuses on the tragic element of their situation, suggesting a more dramatic and somber context.

lamentable set

Uses "lamentable" to emphasize the regrettable nature, and "set" as a collective noun.

hapless crew

Replaces with "hapless", suggesting persistent bad luck, and "crew" implying a team or group working together.

wretched assembly

Employs "wretched" to convey intense misery and "assembly" for a formal gathering.

ill-fated band

Uses "ill-fated" to emphasize a destined misfortune, and "band" implying a united group.

deplorable collection

Replaces "pitiable" with "deplorable", highlighting the disapproval and "collection" as a group of items or people.

doomed contingent

Implies a sense of inevitable negative outcome and uses "contingent" to refer to a specific group.

FAQs

How can I use "pitiable group" in a sentence?

You can use "pitiable group" to describe a set of individuals who evoke sympathy or compassion due to their unfortunate circumstances. For example, "The documentary highlighted the struggles of a "pitiable group" living in extreme poverty".

What are some alternatives to "pitiable group"?

Alternatives include "pathetic bunch", "unfortunate cluster", or "poor souls", each carrying slightly different connotations.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "pitiable group"?

It's appropriate when describing a group experiencing hardship or misfortune that elicits sympathy. Ensure the context supports this characterization to avoid misrepresentation.

What is the difference between "pitiable group" and "tragic figures"?

"Pitiable group" generally refers to a state of deserving sympathy, while "tragic figures" implies a more profound and often irreversible misfortune, often with elements of loss or suffering.