a very difficult situation

USAGE SUMMARY

"a very difficult situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation that is challenging and difficult to navigate. For example, "The doctor found themselves facing a very difficult situation when their patient refused to take their prescribed medication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a very difficult situation.

The New York Times

"It's a very difficult situation," he said.

The Guardian

"It's a very difficult situation," he added.

The Guardian

"It is now a very difficult situation.

The Guardian

We the new government inherited a very difficult situation.

Yale University

"This is a very difficult situation," he said.

The New Yorker

"I think I've overcome a very difficult situation," Nadal said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It puts us in a very difficult situation," he said.

The New York Times

We are in a very difficult situation at the moment".

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm the result of a very difficult situation," he said.

The New Yorker

In a very difficult situation, we all did our best.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a problem, consider using stronger synonyms for "difficult" like "challenging", "complex", or "critical" to add emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "a very difficult situation" repeatedly in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "a complex problem" or "a challenging predicament" to keep your text engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very difficult situation" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It identifies and characterizes a particular set of circumstances as being problematic or challenging.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a very difficult situation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe challenging circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use across various contexts, including news, academia, and everyday conversation. While common, varying your vocabulary by using synonyms like "a complex predicament" or "a tough circumstance" can enhance your writing. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase serves to acknowledge and convey the severity of problematic circumstances. Remember to avoid overusing it and consider stronger synonyms for added emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a highly challenging scenario

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "situation" with "scenario", emphasizing the demanding nature of the circumstance.

a remarkably complex predicament

Replaces "difficult" with "complex" and "situation" with "predicament", highlighting the intricate and troublesome nature.

a particularly tough circumstance

Uses "tough" instead of "difficult" and "circumstance" instead of "situation", suggesting a hardship.

an exceedingly problematic state

Changes "difficult" to "problematic" and "situation" to "state", focusing on the troublesomeness of the condition.

a severely complicated matter

Replaces "difficult" with "complicated" and "situation" with "matter", underscoring the complexity of the issue.

a notably delicate circumstance

Swaps "difficult" for "delicate", implying a situation requiring careful handling.

a substantially intricate affair

Uses "intricate" to replace "difficult" and "affair" for "situation", stressing its complicated and involved nature.

a genuinely trying episode

Changes "difficult" to "trying" and "situation" to "episode", highlighting the stressful aspect of the situation.

an extraordinarily awkward juncture

Replaces "difficult" with "awkward" and "situation" with "juncture", emphasizing the uncomfortable nature of the moment.

a considerably vexing dilemma

Substitutes "difficult" with "vexing" and "situation" with "dilemma", focusing on the frustrating nature of the problem.

FAQs

How can I use "a very difficult situation" in a sentence?

You can use "a very difficult situation" to describe circumstances that are challenging and hard to manage. For example: "The company faced "a very difficult situation" due to the economic downturn."

What can I say instead of "a very difficult situation"?

Alternatives include "a highly challenging scenario", "a complex predicament", or "a tough circumstance", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a very difficult situation"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

What makes "a very difficult situation" different from "a difficult situation"?

The addition of "very" intensifies the degree of difficulty. "A difficult situation" simply indicates a challenge, while "a very difficult situation" emphasizes a more significant or severe challenge.