a temporary situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a temporary situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a circumstance or condition that is not permanent and will change or end after a certain period. Example: "Due to the ongoing renovations, we are currently in a temporary situation where the office is relocated to a different building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That's a temporary situation".

The New York Times

It was a temporary situation.

The Guardian - Books

"We knew it was going to be a temporary situation.

The New York Times

"This is essentially a temporary situation," she said.

The New York Times

"I'm very hopeful that this is a temporary situation," Alderson said.

The New York Times

"I thought this apartment was a temporary situation because it was so small," she said.

The New York Times

Consider a (temporary) situation in which income is running at more than $100 million per year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I expect this is a temporary situation," said the spokesman, Cmdr.

The New York Times

That's wonderful too in other ways, but possibly a temporary situation.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But I believe coming down to sixth in the world was a temporary situation.

The New York Times - Sports

"There are going to be significant expenses for what may well be a temporary situation," Mr. Weihs said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a temporary situation", ensure the context clearly indicates the expected duration or conditions for the situation to change. This avoids ambiguity and provides clarity to the reader.

Common error

Avoid treating "a temporary situation" as if it will resolve itself automatically. Proactively plan for the transition to a more stable or permanent state, even if the exact timeline is uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a temporary situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "temporary" modifies the noun "situation". It describes a condition or state that is not permanent. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a temporary situation" is a widely used and grammatically sound way to describe circumstances expected to change. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reporting to formal business communications. While commonly used across diverse sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, it's crucial to provide context about the expected duration or conditions for change to avoid ambiguity. When writing, avoid assuming that temporary states will resolve themselves; proactive planning is essential. Alternatives like "a provisional arrangement" or "a short-lived state" may offer more specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A transitional period

Focuses on the situation as a time of change or transition.

A provisional arrangement

Focuses on the arrangement or agreement being subject to change.

An interim measure

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the action or solution taken.

A short-lived state

Stresses the limited duration of the condition or state.

A stopgap solution

Highlights that the solution will only suffice until a permanent resolution is found.

A fleeting circumstance

Emphasizes the brevity or short duration of the situation.

A transient occurrence

Highlights the fact that the situation will not last long.

A momentary condition

Highlights the brief nature of the condition.

A limited-time scenario

Stresses the finite duration of the scenario.

A passing phase

Highlights that the situation is a stage that will be gone through.

FAQs

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

You can use "a temporary situation" to describe something that is not permanent. For example, "The office relocation is "a temporary situation" while the building is being renovated".

What are some alternatives to saying "a temporary situation"?

Alternatives include "a provisional arrangement", "a short-lived state", or "a transitional period", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "a temporary situation" in formal writing?

Yes, "a temporary situation" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It is a clear and concise way to describe a non-permanent state of affairs.

What's the difference between "a temporary situation" and "a precarious situation"?

"A temporary situation" simply describes something that is not permanent. "A precarious situation", on the other hand, implies instability and potential danger or collapse. Therefore, "a precarious situation" suggests a riskier or more uncertain state than "a temporary situation".