a hostile surrounding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hostile surrounding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an environment or context that is unfriendly or aggressive, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The team struggled to perform well in a hostile surrounding, where competition was fierce and support was lacking."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The men have tried to go off the reserve by boat to purchase meat from the now extremely hostile surrounding towns.

The New York Times

His opinion reflected Czech society's idea of these two composers: to make political use of their fame (to display pride "in the face of the hostile surrounding world"), it had pulled together the scraps of folklore to be found in the music and stitched them into a national banner to fly above the work.

The New Yorker

Thanks to this consensus building strategy they managed to defy the dictates of the hostile surrounding geography.

Huffington Post

This rests on the assumption that long exposures to violent stricken environments impact the personal behavior as individuals adapt to the hostile surrounding.

Conflict and Health

Galatasaray had a reputation of a creating a hostile atmosphere surrounding their home matches and Leeds travelled there aiming to reach the UEFA Cup Final in order to win in their last chance of silverware of their season.

Wikipedia

The next day he was gone & the writer felt he was in a hostile country, surrounded by strangers.

The New Yorker

It was shot during the spring and summer of 1938 in the months leading up to Neville Chamberlain's capitulation at Munich, and Iris and Gilbert are passengers on a ship of fools, a compartment of British clowns adrift in a hostile Europe, surrounded by inimical foreigners in a world on the brink of war.

The Guardian - Film

They continued until blocked by parked cars, at which point they attempted to reverse, but were blocked by vehicles from the cortège and a hostile crowd surrounded their vehicle.

Wikipedia

The sense of vast forests full of hostile tribes surrounding a few undamaged coastal settlements is palpable.

The New Yorker

Forward Operating Post Keating was poorly positioned near a hostile settlement and underneath surrounding ridgelines.

Huffington Post

After his trial, Sheppard retained Bailey to take his case to the U.S. Supreme Court where in 1966 he won a retrial because of the media frenzy and hostile coverage surrounding his trial.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a hostile surrounding", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. Is it physical danger, social unfriendliness, or something else? Choosing a more precise term might enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a hostile surrounding" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more conventional and widely recognized phrases such as "a threatening environment" or "an unfriendly atmosphere" for greater impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hostile surrounding" functions as a noun phrase, where "hostile" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "surrounding". Although the Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable, its limited presence in common discourse suggests careful consideration when employing it.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hostile surrounding" is a grammatically sound phrase used to depict environments marked by antagonism or threat. However, its relatively low frequency suggests opting for alternatives like "a threatening environment" or "an unfriendly atmosphere" in formal writing, to ensure clarity and impact. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, mindful usage is key. Consider the specific context and the desired nuance when choosing between "a hostile surrounding" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a menacing environment

Emphasizes the threatening nature of the environment.

an unfriendly atmosphere

Focuses on the lack of warmth and welcoming nature.

a tense environment

Emphasizes the strained and anxious atmosphere.

a threatening situation

Highlights the potential danger present.

an intimidating space

Highlights the feeling of fear and unease it creates.

a dangerous locale

Stresses the physical risk associated with the place.

a volatile area

Focuses on the instability and unpredictability of the area.

an aggressive setting

Points to the confrontational and potentially violent nature.

a negative climate

Focuses on the pessimism nature of the environment.

a difficult context

Highlights the problematic nature of the circumstances.

FAQs

How can "a hostile surrounding" be used effectively in writing?

Use "a hostile surrounding" to describe environments filled with animosity, danger, or strong opposition. It emphasizes the negative influence of the external environment on individuals or situations. For alternatives, consider "a menacing environment" or "an unfriendly atmosphere".

What phrases can replace "a hostile surrounding" to convey a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "a threatening situation", "a dangerous locale", or "an aggressive setting". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to emphasize, such as physical danger, social opposition, or general unfriendliness.

Is "a hostile surrounding" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a hostile surrounding" might sound less formal. For academic or professional contexts, consider stronger, more conventional alternatives, such as "a difficult context" or "a tense environment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "a hostile surrounding" and "an intimidating space"?

"A hostile surrounding" generally refers to an environment actively demonstrating opposition or danger. "An intimidating space" suggests an environment that creates fear or unease, even without direct threats. The former implies external aggression, while the latter focuses on internal feelings of discomfort.