a state of emergency

USAGE SUMMARY

"a state of emergency" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an extreme or urgent situation, such as a natural disaster. For example, "The governor declared a state of emergency after a severe storm caused a power outage in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jacques Chirac declared a state of emergency.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Today there is a state of emergency.

Independent

Gambia has declared a state of emergency.

The Economist

The government declared a state of emergency.

The Economist

A state of emergency has been declared.

The Economist

A state of emergency was imposed.

The Economist

A state of emergency was briefly imposed.

The Economist

A state of emergency is a state of emergency.

The New York Times

Bolivia's government declared a state of emergency.

The Economist

He even declared a state of emergency.

The Guardian - Opinion

Saleh then declared a state of emergency.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a state of emergency" to clearly communicate the severity and urgency of a situation requiring immediate and decisive action. Ensure the context aligns with events causing significant disruption or danger.

Common error

Avoid using "a state of emergency" for minor inconveniences or routine situations. The phrase should be reserved for circumstances that genuinely threaten public safety or cause widespread disruption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a state of emergency" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting a condition declared by an authority in response to a crisis. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a state of emergency" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe critical situations requiring immediate action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is applicable across a multitude of contexts, primarily within News & Media. The expert rating underscores its correctness, source authority, and consistent usage. For alternative phrasing, consider "an emergency situation" or "a crisis situation", while being mindful of using the expression only when the situation warrants such severity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an emergency situation

Focuses on the situation itself rather than the formal declaration.

a crisis situation

Highlights the critical nature of the event without specifying a formal declaration.

an urgent situation

Emphasizes the need for immediate action due to the severity of circumstances.

a critical incident

Emphasizes the occurrence of a significant and dangerous event.

a disaster situation

Specifically indicates a calamitous event causing significant damage or loss.

declaration of emergency

Highlights the act of formally announcing a state of emergency.

national crisis

Indicates a crisis affecting the entire nation.

time of crisis

Emphasizes the period during which a critical situation is unfolding.

emergency response

Focuses on the actions taken to address an emergency.

level red alert

Emphasizes the highest level of alert indicating imminent danger.

FAQs

How is "a state of emergency" typically declared?

A "state of emergency" is usually declared by a government official, such as a governor or president, in response to a crisis like a natural disaster, civil unrest, or public health emergency. The declaration grants special powers to the government to address the situation.

What powers does a government have during "a state of emergency"?

During "a state of emergency", the government may have the authority to impose curfews, control access to certain areas, mobilize resources, and suspend certain laws to manage the crisis effectively.

What are some alternatives to saying "a state of emergency"?

You can use alternatives like "an emergency situation", "a crisis situation", or "an urgent situation" depending on the context.

How does "a state of emergency" differ from "a state of disaster"?

"A state of emergency" typically refers to a situation where the government needs special powers to manage an immediate crisis, while "a state of disaster" /s/a+state+of+disaster focuses more on the aftermath and recovery from a calamitous event, often involving widespread damage and loss.