a temptation that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a temptation that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a specific temptation or desire that someone may experience in a particular context. Example: "She found herself facing a temptation that was hard to resist during the holiday season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

But this is a temptation that should be resisted.

The Economist

Clara, however, represents a temptation that Sander doesn't want to resist.

The New Yorker

But in this case it is a temptation that should have been resisted.

The New York Times - Books

PLAYER TO WATCH Michael Vick Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons To Coach Dan Reeves, Vick is a temptation that is difficult to resist.

The New York Times - Sports

Non-Italians are prone to find Italy too fascinating (a temptation that Donna Leon only just avoids), and the homegrown writer often scores on the level of economical evocation.

The New Yorker

In the long term, central banks' willingness to broaden liquidity support during crises may induce banks to behave more riskily (a temptation that will need to be countered with more effective rules on banks' own liquidity).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Right or wrong — and, to be clear, I am not a Gnostic — Gnosticism still represents, in my view, a powerful temptation that needs to be understood before being criticized.

The New York Times

Exchanges offer people the opportunity to profit from horses not winning directly, a potential temptation that has focused attention on jockeys' conduct like never before.

The Guardian - Sport

My body is not a sinful temptation that needs to be hidden.

Huffington Post

The latter has been a recurring temptation that has claimed many victims in Holocaust writing, film, and painting".

Vice

This sparked a belief that strangers may provide an unwelcome temptation that would be succumbed to by the lonely ladies of the island.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a temptation that", ensure the sentence clearly identifies what is being tempted and what the potential consequences are.

Common error

Avoid stacking abstract nouns. Instead of "a temptation that leads to a feeling of unease", try "a temptation that makes you uneasy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a temptation that" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun and introducing a specific temptation or desire. Ludwig examples show this phrase used to describe allurements that individuals or groups face.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a temptation that" is a frequently used phrase that describes a compelling desire or allure. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly appears in neutral contexts like news and media. The phrase functions as a relative clause, adding detail about the specific nature of the temptation. While often implying a potential conflict or negative consequence, the connotation is heavily context-dependent. Understanding the subtle nuances of this phrase enables more precise and effective communication, as demonstrated in the provided examples from Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an enticement that

Replaces "temptation" with the synonym "enticement", maintaining the original structure.

a lure that

Uses "lure" instead of "temptation", suggesting something that attracts or draws someone in.

a desire which

Substitutes "temptation" with "desire", emphasizing wanting something, and uses a relative pronoun.

an allure which

Changes from "temptation" to "allure", focusing on attractiveness and introduces a relative pronoun.

a compelling urge which

Replaces "temptation" with "compelling urge", intensifying the feeling, and uses a relative pronoun.

a magnetic pull that

Metaphorically describes temptation as a "magnetic pull", highlighting its irresistible nature, and uses a relative pronoun.

something tempting which

Shifts the structure to emphasize the tempting nature, using "something tempting" and introduces a relative pronoun.

a seductive quality which

Focuses on the "seductive quality", emphasizing attractiveness, and uses a relative pronoun.

an inclination towards

Uses "inclination" to soften the intensity of "temptation", indicating a tendency.

a challenging offer that

Frames temptation as a "challenging offer", highlighting the difficulty of resisting, and uses a relative pronoun.

FAQs

How can I use "a temptation that" in a sentence?

Use "a temptation that" to introduce a specific allure or enticement. For instance, "The offer of a higher salary was "a temptation that" he found hard to resist".

What are some alternatives to using "a temptation that"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "an "allure which"", "a "desire which"", or "an "enticement that"" to express a similar idea.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a temptation that"?

Not necessarily. While often associated with negative consequences, "a temptation that" can simply describe a strong attraction or desire, without inherently implying a moral judgment. The context determines the connotation.

How does "a temptation that" differ from "an opportunity that"?

"A temptation that" implies a strong desire which may be difficult to resist, while "an opportunity that" suggests a chance for advancement or benefit. The former focuses on internal desire, the latter on external possibility.