wholly miserable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly miserable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of complete unhappiness or distress. Example: "After losing his job and going through a tough breakup, he felt wholly miserable for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A review of the DVD release in the Los Angeles Times was more critical: "A dated visual style, patched-together special effects and ludicrous dialogue combine in a film that is a wholly miserable experience".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

No model was wholly successful in combatting the miserable living conditions of the poor, and an "anti-civic" solution — the suburbs — signalled the end of "urbs triumphant".

The New Yorker

"It's miserable; the whole situation's miserable.

BBC

It has become something of a specialism, this: her ability to portray doomed, miserable women without stripping them wholly of lightness or the power to attract.

The Guardian - Film

Not wholly.

The Economist

Or miserable.

The New York Times

Pretty miserable".

The New York Times

'Very miserable.

The Guardian

Absolutely miserable.

The Guardian - Tech

Bit miserable.

The Guardian - Music

"I'm miserable, just miserable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "wholly miserable". While grammatically correct, it might sound somewhat formal or literary. In modern conversation, alternatives like "completely miserable" or "utterly wretched" might be more common.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly miserable" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly dramatic or stilted. Opt for simpler, more direct expressions of sadness or unhappiness instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly miserable" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of complete and utter unhappiness. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wholly miserable" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey a complete state of unhappiness, according to Ludwig. However, its infrequent use suggests that more common alternatives like "completely miserable" or "utterly wretched" might be preferred in contemporary writing and conversation. While acceptable in formal contexts, simpler alternatives are generally better suited for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly wretched

Replaces "miserable" with "wretched", intensifying the feeling of distress and unpleasantness.

completely dejected

Shifts the focus to a state of low spirits and discouragement rather than general misery.

entirely heartbroken

Specifies the cause of misery as a profound emotional loss or disappointment.

absolutely devastated

Emphasizes the overwhelming and destructive impact of the misery.

thoroughly despairing

Highlights the hopelessness and loss of faith associated with the miserable state.

fully crushed

Conveys a sense of being completely overwhelmed and defeated by misery.

perfectly grief-stricken

Focuses specifically on the intense sorrow and anguish caused by grief.

quite forlorn

Suggests a sense of loneliness and abandonment contributing to the misery.

altogether despondent

Indicates a state of low morale and discouragement but not necessarily intense suffering.

unreservedly sad

Offers a more general expression of unhappiness without the intensity of "miserable".

FAQs

What does "wholly miserable" mean?

The phrase "wholly miserable" means completely and utterly unhappy or wretched. It describes a state of total and profound misery.

What can I say instead of "wholly miserable"?

You can use alternatives like "completely miserable", "utterly wretched", or "entirely heartbroken" depending on the context.

Is "wholly miserable" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "wholly miserable" is not as frequently used as other similar phrases like "totally miserable" or "absolutely miserable". Its usage can lend a more formal or literary tone to writing.

How can I use "wholly miserable" in a sentence?

You can use "wholly miserable" to describe someone's emotional state, for example: "After the series of unfortunate events, she felt "utterly desolate" and "perfectly devastated". It can also describe an experience, like "The trip was a "complete disaster" and I was "so unhappy"".