the wretched thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the wretched thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disdain or frustration towards an object or situation that is perceived as unfortunate or miserable. Example: "After struggling with the broken printer for hours, I finally threw the wretched thing out the window."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Arts

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

I'm only introducing the wretched thing because it's what gardening correspondents are supposed to do.

Independent

Is the wretched thing going to lead some sort of Robo-spartacist uprising?

The Guardian - Film

And anyway I often lost the wretched thing long before I got anywhere near a shop.

The Guardian - Books

But, he added, "the Euro-maniac Blair" would have to concede a referendum on "the wretched thing".

The Guardian

You can argue for a dead battery or spill a cup of coffee on the wretched thing.

The New York Times - Books

As one Twitter wit put it when I posted a photo of the wretched thing: "Certainly sir, a two-bed maisonette.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The wretched things seem to be everywhere!

The Guardian

The wretched things have had 10 years to tell me why I should love them.

Independent

In another, loquats and ugni, supposedly Queen Victoria's favourite fruit – but then she never had to pick the wretched things.

Independent

For some, sending them on has a therapeutic value: they can share the agony as well as getting the wretched things out of their house.

The Guardian

Having been force fed the wretched things as a child there is no amount of money that would now get me to eat a boiled egg.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid overuse, vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "that awful thing" or "the miserable object" depending on the context.

Common error

While "the wretched thing" can be expressive, avoid using it in formal or professional writing where a more neutral or objective tone is expected. Opt for alternatives that convey your point without sounding overly emotional or subjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the wretched thing" functions primarily as a noun phrase expressing strong disapproval or frustration. Ludwig AI examples show its use to refer to objects, situations, or ideas that are considered undesirable or problematic. The adjective "wretched" intensifies the negative sentiment towards the noun.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Books

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the wretched thing" is a common phrase used to express annoyance, frustration, or strong disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's suitable for informal and neutral settings, it should be used cautiously in formal writing. To enhance your writing, consider synonyms such as "that awful thing" or "that annoying thing" to diversify your vocabulary and maintain an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that awful thing

Uses "awful" to describe the thing, implying it is unpleasant or disagreeable.

that annoying thing

Focuses on the frustrating quality of the thing.

the miserable object

Replaces "wretched" with "miserable", focusing on the object's unfortunate state.

that blasted thing

Replaces "wretched" with "blasted", adding a stronger sense of annoyance.

the dreadful item

Substitutes "wretched" with "dreadful", emphasizing the item's unpleasant nature.

the cursed object

Emphasizes a sense of misfortune or bad luck associated with the object.

the pesky device

Uses "pesky" to describe the device, implying it is troublesome.

that infernal thing

Uses "infernal" to express extreme annoyance or exasperation.

the damned gadget

Replaces "thing" with "gadget" and expresses strong disapproval.

the bothersome contraption

Replaces "thing" with "contraption" to refer to devices and adds a sense of annoyance.

FAQs

How can I use "the wretched thing" in a sentence?

You can use "the wretched thing" to express frustration or disdain toward something. For example, "After struggling with it all day, I threw the wretched thing out the window."

What are some alternatives to "the wretched thing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "that awful thing", "the miserable object", or "that annoying thing" to convey similar sentiments.

Is "the wretched thing" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "the wretched thing" is generally not suitable for formal writing. It's better suited for informal contexts where you want to express strong negative emotions. In formal settings, opt for more neutral language.

What does "the wretched thing" imply?

"The wretched thing" implies that the speaker is experiencing frustration, annoyance, or disappointment with the object or situation they are referring to. It carries a tone of strong negativity.