a moral predicament

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a moral predicament" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation in which a person faces a difficult choice between two or more conflicting moral principles. Example: "The character found himself in a moral predicament, torn between loyalty to his friend and the obligation to report the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The persistence of slavery posed a moral predicament for someone who wished to avoid any intimation of cultural advantage, and it was clearly causing Stark a struggle.

The New Yorker

Not that they skimp on their trademarks: the probing handheld camerawork, the lack of a musical score, and the sense of a moral predicament that grips and bites.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Blowing the whistle on Eleanor's uncle, who has threatened suicide should his transgressions be revealed, presents Si with an even murkier moral predicament.

The New York Times - Books

The tale does eventually steer Garoux to an interesting if contrived moral predicament, but the payoff doesn't quite justify the journey.

The New York Times

Recognizing the moral predicament of discontinuing a constitutive treatment might contribute to unease or reluctance on the part of patients and families to consent to destination therapy with medical devices.

BMC Medical Ethics

But Geoghegan, in the course of dramatizing his own moral predicament, may have exaggerated its ills.

The New York Times - Books

"I did not agree at all with the moral predicament of Huckleberry Finn concerning nigger Jim".

The Guardian - Books

But our accounts of Maura's life before her father is finally shamed into sending for her are sketchy, even as they raise the puzzling moral predicament of the whole novel.

The New York Times - Books

Alas, having escaped one moral predicament (by using other people's money to purchase superior wines at their lowest quotations), I've dug myself another.

Forbes

When Joan Rivers claims, "If New Jersey were firing rockets into New York, we would wipe them out," the moral predicament of bombing apartment buildings is alleviated in the minds of some people.

Huffington Post

"As a Chinese folk saying goes, 'You cannot live the life of a whore and expect a monument to your chastity.' Canada is a country worthy of respect, but some Canadians must be reminded that they are now refusing to face up to the moral predicament.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a moral predicament" when you want to emphasize the difficult choice between conflicting moral principles. For example, in literature, it can highlight a character's internal conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "a moral predicament" when the situation is simply a practical problem without ethical implications. A flat tire is a predicament, but not necessarily a moral one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a moral predicament" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a specific type of difficult situation involving ethical or moral considerations, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a moral predicament" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a difficult situation involving a conflict of moral principles. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's important to use the phrase when ethical considerations are central to the situation. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, it appears in a variety of sources, including news media and scientific publications. Alternatives such as "an ethical dilemma" or "a moral quandary" may be suitable depending on the context. When writing, ensure that the predicament genuinely involves a moral conflict rather than a purely practical problem.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ethical dilemma

Focuses specifically on the ethical aspect of the difficult situation.

a moral quandary

Emphasizes the confusion and uncertainty associated with the moral problem.

a conflict of values

Highlights the clash between different moral principles.

a moral difficulty

A more general term for a challenging moral situation.

an ethical bind

Suggests a restrictive and inescapable moral problem.

a crisis of conscience

Implies a severe internal struggle with one's morals.

a moral test

Frames the situation as a challenge to one's ethical principles.

a difficult ethical situation

A more descriptive and less idiomatic alternative.

a challenging moral choice

Focuses on the decision-making aspect of the predicament.

a moral tightrope

Metaphorically describes navigating a precarious ethical situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a moral predicament" in a sentence?

You can use "a moral predicament" to describe a situation where someone faces a difficult choice between conflicting ethical principles. For example: "The protagonist faced "a moral predicament" when asked to betray a friend to save his family."

What's the difference between "a moral dilemma" and "a moral predicament"?

"A moral dilemma" and "a moral predicament" are similar, but a dilemma often implies two equally undesirable choices, while "a moral predicament" can refer to any difficult ethical situation.

What can I say instead of "a moral predicament"?

You can use alternatives like "an ethical dilemma", "a moral quandary", or "a conflict of values" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "ethical predicament" or "moral predicament"?

Both "ethical predicament" and "a moral predicament" are acceptable. "Ethical" often refers to a professional code of conduct, while "moral" relates to personal beliefs about right and wrong.