[Vocabulary] The usage of Pitiful

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gangan555

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Oct 11, 2013
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Student or Learner
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Italian
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Japan
"The fine was pitiful, but it was only $40."

Is this sentence correct?

Pitiful means pathetic.
In this case the subject is not human, The fine made someone who received it feel pathetic.

However, pitiful also means very small.
Someone who received fine just thought the fine was very small.

I can not judge the usage of pitiful is which?
 
"The fine was pitiful, but it was only $40."

Is this sentence correct?

Pitiful means pathetic.
In this case the subject is not human, The fine made someone who received it feel pathetic.

However, pitiful also means very small.
Someone who received fine just thought the fine was very small.

I can not judge the usage of pitiful is which?

PLease give your correct location and native language in your profile.
 
"The fine was pitiful, but it was only $40."

Is this sentence correct?

Pitiful means pathetic.
In this case the subject is not human, The fine made someone who received it feel pathetic.

However, pitiful also means very small.
Someone who received fine just thought the fine was very small.

I can not judge the usage of pitiful is which?

Normally by the context. Usually, if a fine is described as pitiful, it suggests it's very small for the offence, but here we have but connecting the two, which suggests it is not the case here.
 
Three days ago, you were asked to correct your location information in your member profile. It is still incorrect. Please rectify that before asking any more questions.
 
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