a terrible predicament

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrible predicament" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a difficult or challenging situation that someone is facing. Example: "After losing his job and facing mounting bills, he found himself in a terrible predicament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

First, many of us understand that Barack Obama inherited a terrible predicament.

The New York Times - Magazine

Girl in a terrible predicament because of the things she has bought at Woolworths She's going to Florence and she doesn't know what to do with the things.

The New Yorker

The involvement in this case of Jack Quinn, the former White House counsel, was equally unseemly, placing Mr. Clinton in a terrible predicament.

The New York Times

It's a terrible predicament that was not made any clearer or more hopeful today by gthe braintrust that's been meeting regularly to solve this perplaxing quandry.

Forbes

They found the North Koreans in a terrible predicament: without recourse to adequate medical care, the victims were resorting to various primitive methods to treat their radiation-related maladies.

University of Chicago

Truman now faced a terrible predicament.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

While addressing their crowd during their May 1, 2009, concert in Toronto, Taylor explained that Crahan's absence was due to "a very terrible, terrible predicament going on in [Crahan's] family".

Wikipedia

The chaos and terror form a living tableau of Poland's terrible predicament in the middle of the last century, when it was caught in the pincers of two toxic strains of European totalitarianism.

The New York Times

Eschewing documentary reportage, the Korean-American dramatist take us on a brilliantly imaginative journey into the terrible predicament of two famine-starved sisters weighing up the risks and benefits of paying to be people-trafficked out of the mind-boggling totalitarian misery of their native North Korea.

Independent

It was all part of a fruitless search for a theory or precedent that might explain the terrible predicament that had fallen upon him and his countrymen.

The New York Times

Royal status is, for her, some kind of terrible predicament that fell on her: a price for true love, a fairytale might say, that can only be soothed with eternal holidays and a life lived predominantly under a hair dryer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a terrible predicament" when needing to depict a situation that combines both difficulty and a significant degree of distress. For scenarios where things are merely challenging, consider less intense alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "a terrible predicament" for minor inconveniences or everyday challenges. This phrase is best reserved for genuinely serious and distressing situations to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrible predicament" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It serves to describe a state or situation characterized by significant difficulty or distress. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is used correctly in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a terrible predicament" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as Ludwig confirms. While not exceedingly common, it effectively describes a serious and challenging situation. Its use is particularly prevalent in news and media, as well as academic writing, making it a versatile choice for conveying significant distress or difficulty. To ensure proper usage, remember to reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely warrant its intensity and consider more nuanced alternatives when describing milder challenges. Ludwig's examples provide practical insights into its application across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dire situation

Focuses on the severity and urgency of the situation.

a difficult situation

Emphasizes the challenge and complexity of the circumstances.

an unfortunate plight

Highlights the element of misfortune and hardship.

a hopeless case

Stresses the lack of positive prospects or solutions.

a sticky situation

Suggests a problem that is awkward and difficult to resolve.

a grave crisis

Implies a serious and potentially dangerous situation.

a tight corner

Conveys a sense of being trapped or restricted.

a tough spot

Emphasizes the unpleasantness and difficulty of the circumstances.

a bad way

Simple and direct, indicating a negative state of affairs.

a mess

Highlights the disorder and confusion of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a terrible predicament" to describe a difficult or challenging situation. For example: "The company found itself in "a terrible predicament" after the sudden drop in sales."

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

You can use alternatives like "a dire situation", "a difficult situation", or "an unfortunate plight" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "a terrible predicament" and "a difficult situation"?

"A terrible predicament" implies a more severe and distressing situation than "a difficult situation". The former suggests a sense of helplessness or hopelessness, while the latter simply indicates a challenge.

Is it appropriate to use "a terrible predicament" in formal writing?

Yes, ""a terrible predicament"" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing serious or critical situations. However, ensure that the context warrants the intensity of the phrase.