pitiful amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pitiful amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is considered inadequate or disappointing. Example: "The donation we received was a pitiful amount compared to what we expected for the charity event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It is a pitiful amount.

The Guardian - Opinion

He cited the fact only three entities had been prosecuted for importing asbestos since 2003 and fined the "pitiful" amount of $300,000 in total.

The Guardian

She cared about this even more than she grieved the pitiful amount her father, Sir Evelyn Delves Broughton, left his daughters in his will, the bulk going to her stepmother.

Independent

Much of the campaigning about such coverage focuses on the paltry amount devoted to women's sports (just 5% of total coverage) and even more pitiful amount of sponsorship given to all women's sports, just 0.5% for 50% of the population.

The Guardian

How you can take on their surface effects – the black turtleneck, listening to Bob Dylan, friends with Bono – yet still pay your Chinese workers a pitiful amount, despoil the environment, do shady stock transactions, pay no tax".

The Guardian - Film

These people have to spend so much time to cover their costs when you break it down to an hourly revenue, it's a pitiful amount.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Each boy fumbled in his pocket, handing over pitiful amounts of cash.

Independent

Small, thinly populated and (barring Estonia) spending pitiful amounts for their own defence, the Baltics are entirely within range of Russian anti-aircraft and air-to-ground missiles.

The Economist

India, the operators complain, faces a "spectrum crunch".In November Sunil Mittal, the chairman of Bharti Airtel, wrote to India's telecoms secretary describing the "extreme anguish" caused by the "pitiful" amounts of spectrum granted to operators using GSM technology, the dominant standard that is used by three-quarters of Indian subscribers.

The Economist

But 20 years after that policy change, it's clear that too many families have been left out of the social safety net altogether, forced to subsist on pitiful amounts of money in a country that boasts the richest billionaires in the world; in a country whose collective wealth has surpassed the $1 trillion mark.

Huffington Post

But, according to Miller, this is a 'pitiful amount' and the fact that the charity is part of the industry makes it difficult for it to speak out against the sport.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "pitiful amount", ensure the context clearly establishes why the amount is considered inadequate or disappointing. Provide specific details to support your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "pitiful amount" in contexts that require a neutral or objective tone. The phrase carries a negative connotation and is best suited for situations where expressing disappointment or criticism is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pitiful amount" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun. It expresses a subjective evaluation of the quantity being described. Ludwig examples show its use to negatively characterize sums of money, resources, or even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pitiful amount" is a phrase used to express disappointment or criticism regarding a quantity perceived as inadequate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and identifies it as an adjective phrase. While relatively uncommon, it is primarily found in news and media contexts to convey a negative evaluation. When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies the negative connotation and avoid overuse in neutral or objective settings. Alternatives such as "meager quantity" or "insignificant sum" can provide similar meaning with subtle variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meager quantity

Replaces "amount" with a synonym that emphasizes smallness and insufficiency.

insignificant sum

Substitutes both "pitiful" and "amount" to highlight the lack of importance or value.

trifling quantity

Emphasizes the insignificance and lack of consequence of the amount.

paltry sum

Similar to "pitiful", but perhaps with a slightly stronger connotation of contempt.

derisory quantity

Highlights that the amount is so small it's worthy of ridicule.

scant amount

Focuses on the scarcity and insufficiency of the amount.

miserable quantity

Replaces "pitiful" with a stronger emotional tone of sadness and despair regarding the small amount.

inadequate quantity

Directly states the amount is not enough.

lamentable amount

Emphasizes the regret or sorrow associated with the small amount.

deplorable sum

Highlights the shocking or disgraceful nature of the small amount.

FAQs

How can I use "pitiful amount" in a sentence?

You can use "pitiful amount" to describe a quantity that is disappointingly small or inadequate, such as "The funding allocated to the project was a "pitiful amount", hindering its progress."

What are some alternatives to saying "pitiful amount"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "meager quantity", "insignificant sum", or "paltry sum" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "pitiful amount" a formal or informal expression?

"Pitiful amount" leans towards a slightly informal register due to its emotional connotation. For a more formal tone, consider using "inadequate quantity" or "insufficient amount".

What's the difference between "pitiful amount" and "pathetic amount"?

While both phrases convey a sense of inadequacy, "pitiful amount" tends to focus more on the disappointing quantity itself, whereas "pathetic amount" may emphasize the inadequacy in a way that evokes more scorn or derision. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.