such a misery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "such a misery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of sadness or suffering, often in a context where one is describing a difficult situation or experience. Example: "Losing my job during the pandemic was such a misery that it took me months to recover emotionally."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Lifestyle

Opinion

Books

Arts

Sport

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Judith: Don't be such a misery / Let me shine a light on thee / Oh-h-h... Bluebeard: What do you see? Judith: In your first room / A torture chamber / With blood-stained walls!

The Guardian - Music

For all of Buddy's screaming, pecking and splatting (he seems to have taken malicious joy in despoiling the deck of Mr. McGrory's bachelor beach house in Maine), the book conveys a stealthy sense that Buddy wasn't such a misery to have around.

The New York Times - Books

After missing the 1985 tour due to his involvement in the rebel Australian tours to South Africa, Alderman returned in 1989 to prise 41 English wickets at a frightening 17.36, helping Australia to win the Ashes 4-0 (which flattered England), and turning Graham Gooch's life into such a misery that the current England batting coach asked to be stood down from Test cricket.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We say, stop being such a bloody misery guts and treat yourself to some sexy knickers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Such a picture of misery.

The New Yorker

"I never conceived such a mass of misery in the world before".

The Economist

Against such a backdrop of misery, buyers are empowered — and are taking full advantage.

The New York Times

It was heartbreaking to witness him in such a state of misery and to not be able to help him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nor, of course, would be the inner circle of Hillary Clinton's advisers be in such a state of misery and mutual finger-pointing as it is now.

Independent

The very structure of such a relationship to misery and death impels Silas to impress upon her audience the enduring will to obliterate all genocide--however insidiously resident the genocidal impulse may be in all societies and cultures, a factor that accounts for how and why genocide spreads and flares up at unforeseen intervals.

HuffPost

"We have grown accustomed to living in such a country, with war, misery and sanctions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such a misery" to emphasize the extreme negative impact of a situation or experience, evoking a strong sense of empathy or understanding in your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "such a misery" in casual conversations or light-hearted content; it can sound overly dramatic. Choose a less intense phrase for everyday disappointments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a misery" functions as an intensifier followed by a noun, emphasizing the degree of suffering or unhappiness associated with a particular situation or experience. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "such a misery" is grammatically sound and used to express significant suffering or unhappiness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, although it is relatively rare. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news and media, as well as literature, and is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the tone of your writing and the severity of the situation you're describing. Consider alternatives like "such distress" or "such suffering" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

such distress

Focuses more directly on the state of suffering or anguish.

such suffering

Emphasizes the experience of pain or hardship.

such unhappiness

Highlights the lack of joy or contentment.

such sorrow

Conveys a deep sense of sadness or grief.

such woe

An older, more literary term for great sorrow or distress.

such hardship

Focuses on the difficult conditions or circumstances.

such misfortune

Emphasizes the bad luck or unfortunate events.

such a burden

Highlights the weight or difficulty caused by something.

such a plight

Emphasizes a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation.

such a tribulation

Implies a severe trial or suffering, often with religious undertones.

FAQs

How can I use "such a misery" in a sentence?

"Such a misery" is used to describe something causing great unhappiness or suffering. For example, "The long illness was such a misery for the whole family."

What phrases are similar to "such a misery"?

Similar phrases include "such distress", "such suffering", or "such unhappiness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "such a misery"?

Use "such a misery" when you want to express a strong feeling of sadness or describe a situation that causes significant suffering. It's suitable for serious or somber contexts.

Is "such a misery" formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, "such a misery" leans towards a more formal or literary tone. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when using this phrase.