a perilous situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a perilous situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scenario that is dangerous or risky. Example: "The hikers found themselves in a perilous situation when a sudden storm hit the mountain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Whenever Worsley faced a perilous situation — and he was now in more peril than he'd ever been — he asked himself one question: What would Shacks do? Henry Worsley's father, like Shackleton, had been a celebrated leader of men.

The New Yorker

This is a perilous situation.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile, a perilous situation was developing underground.

The New York Times

Glavine said the Braves avoided a perilous situation.

The New York Times - Sports

Ruling out the only deal on the table puts the country in a perilous situation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Taseer's assassination leaves Bibi, who is awaiting a court appeal in prison, in a perilous situation.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Asked by Laverne about the health of journalism today, Pick expresses concern for an industry in "a very perilous situation".

The Guardian

With the 2010 midterm elections just over a week away, Democrats find themselves in a similarly perilous situation.

The New York Times

"This is a very perilous situation," said Isqaqavut Yohani, the head of the Cabinet-level Council of aboriginal Affairs and a member of the Bunun tribe.

Los Angeles Times

It would put the United Kingdom in a potentially perilous situation and would represent political failure by our leaders on a monumental scale".

Independent

"That's a very perilous situation to be in".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events with significant consequences, using "a perilous situation" can effectively highlight the gravity and potential risks involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a perilous situation" in contexts that are only mildly inconvenient or slightly risky. Reserve it for situations that genuinely involve significant danger or risk of harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a perilous situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "perilous" modifies the noun "situation". It describes a condition or set of circumstances characterized by danger and risk, contributing to the overall meaning of a sentence as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

HuffPost

2%

OtherRelated

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a perilous situation" is a phrase used to describe a scenario filled with significant danger and risk. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news, sports, and other contexts where there's a need to highlight the severity of circumstances. While alternatives like "a dangerous situation" or "a risky situation" exist, "a perilous situation" emphasizes a higher degree of immediate threat. Therefore, use this phrase when you want to express that something is not just dangerous, but intensely and imminently so.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dangerous situation

Replaces "perilous" with a more common synonym, "dangerous", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

a risky situation

Emphasizes the presence of risk, focusing on the uncertainty of the outcome.

a hazardous situation

Highlights the potential for harm or damage.

a precarious situation

Suggests instability and the likelihood of collapse or failure.

a critical situation

Indicates a turning point where the outcome is uncertain and important.

a dire situation

Conveys a sense of urgency and extreme danger.

a grave situation

Stresses the seriousness and potential for significant negative consequences.

a tough spot

An informal way of saying things are difficult and challenging.

a sticky situation

Implies a complex and uncomfortable predicament that is hard to escape.

a tight corner

Suggests being trapped or limited in options, requiring careful maneuvering.

FAQs

How can I use "a perilous situation" in a sentence?

You can use "a perilous situation" to describe any scenario involving high risk or danger. For example, "The hikers found themselves in "a perilous situation" when a storm suddenly rolled in."

What are some alternatives to "a perilous situation"?

Some alternatives include "a dangerous situation", "a risky situation", or "a hazardous situation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "perilous" in formal writing?

Yes, "perilous" is suitable for formal writing. It adds a degree of seriousness and intensity that might be appropriate for academic, business, or news contexts.

What makes a situation "perilous" rather than just "dangerous"?

While "dangerous" is a general term for posing harm, "perilous" often implies a higher degree of immediate risk and potential for severe consequences. It suggests a more intense and pressing threat.