a wave of predicaments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave of predicaments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden influx or series of difficult situations or challenges that someone is facing. Example: "After the unexpected layoffs, the company found itself facing a wave of predicaments that threatened its stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A result was a wave of refugees.

The New York Times

A wave of human agents?

Forbes

It's always preceded by a series of predicaments.

Vice

A new wave of truthtelling!.

The New Yorker

This was a cartoon of predicament.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That presents a different kind of predicament for professionals.

BBC

He has a song for that kind of predicament.

The New York Times

Nauman is a bard of mental predicaments: tautology, double bind, Beckettian futility.

The New Yorker

Despite the implication of a story, a specific predicament, the song is abstract.

The New Yorker

I'm in a bit of a predicament.

The New York Times - Books

So I attempted to make a virtue of this predicament.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a wave of predicaments", ensure that the context clearly establishes the interconnectedness or sequential nature of the difficulties. This phrasing works best when the predicaments are perceived as a continuous flow or series of related challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of predicaments" to describe minor or isolated issues. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the difficulties are significant, numerous, and closely linked, creating a sense of being overwhelmed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of predicaments" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a situation where multiple difficulties or challenges occur in succession or simultaneously, creating a sense of being overwhelmed. Ludwig AI explains that this expression is acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wave of predicaments" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a series of difficult situations. While Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English, its frequency is currently low. The phrase functions to convey a sense of being overwhelmed by numerous, related problems. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be more appropriate in certain academic or professional contexts. When you want to express that somebody faces many difficulties or challenges in a specific time, this phrase could be useful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A series of crises

Focuses on multiple, distinct critical situations rather than a continuous flow.

A spate of troubles

Uses "spate" to emphasize a sudden, intense period of trouble.

An outbreak of difficulties

Implies a sudden and widespread emergence of problems.

A flood of problems

Uses "flood" to convey being overwhelmed by numerous issues.

A barrage of challenges

Emphasizes a forceful and overwhelming series of challenges.

A cluster of dilemmas

Highlights that the predicaments are closely grouped and interconnected.

A string of misfortunes

Focuses specifically on negative and unlucky events.

Succession of hardships

Emphasizes that difficulties following one after another in time.

Tidal wave of difficulties

The use of 'tidal' add intensity and volume to the difficulties, suggesting they're overwhelming and hard to manage.

Chain of adverse events

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship between sequential negative occurrences.

FAQs

How can I use "a wave of predicaments" in a sentence?

You can use "a wave of predicaments" to describe a series of difficult situations that someone is facing. For example: "After the unexpected layoffs, the company faced "a wave of predicaments" that threatened its stability."

What are some alternatives to "a wave of predicaments"?

Some alternatives include "a series of crises", "a spate of troubles", or "a flood of problems", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the difficult situations.

Is "a wave of predicaments" formal or informal?

"A wave of predicaments" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "a succession of hardships" might be preferred in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "a wave of predicaments" and "a series of problems"?

"A wave of predicaments" implies a larger scale and a more overwhelming sense of difficulties compared to "a series of problems". "A wave" suggests an influx and intensity that a simple "series" might not convey.