a widespread situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scenario or condition that is prevalent or common in a particular context or area. Example: "The pandemic has created a widespread situation that affects millions of people around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I sense that's a widespread situation," Mr. Craig said.

The New York Times

However, a complete study of 25 Annonaceae genera with species that release aggregated pollen showed proximal apertures [ 16] and, consequently, the distal-proximal transition observed in pollen development of A. cherimola and other Annonaceae [ 22, 23] could represent a widespread situation in this basal family.

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Mariposa and the Saint" exists in the same vein, except that her story, and her avenue for telling it, is not particularly high-profile or sexy, but represents a fairly average and widespread situation — an estimated eighty thousand prisoners are held in solitary in the U.S. at any given time, often for extended periods of time and for minor violations, at the discretion of the guards.

The New Yorker

However, although we cannot say that every invariant site is essential for protein function, the contrary seems to be a special and not very widespread situation.

Biology Direct

To adequately respond to the widespread situation of violence against children, we have seen how strong political leadership can boost very quickly the much-needed reforms.

Unicef

(Male, Other actors-2, 15-09-2011) I feel that the widespread situation in China today is that you can do nothing if you run into the unreasonable.

BMJ Open

These storm remnants will be moving along, which should prevent a widespread, very serious flooding situation.

The Washington Post

He characterized it as a "David and Goliath situation," echoing a widespread view that it was simply convenient to make an example of a small bank like Abacus.

The New Yorker

While officials stressed how important it was for patients to be tested, they cautioned that it was premature to characterize the situation as a widespread public health crisis.

The New York Times - Health

One of the two children, a 14-year-old girl identified in the complaint as "M.J.," was hospitalized at least nine times in four years because she did not receive adequate outreach while living at home, according to the lawsuit, which alleges that her situation probably reflects a widespread failure affecting hundreds of other D.C. children who are receiving care through the government.

The Washington Post

I think that the acuteness of the situation is prompting a widespread response.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a widespread situation", ensure the context clearly indicates the area or group affected. For instance, specify "a widespread situation in the healthcare industry" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a widespread situation" without providing specific details. Saying "it's a widespread situation" without context can weaken your argument. Provide evidence or examples to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread situation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and characterizes a condition or state as being common or prevalent. Ludwig examples confirm its use in diverse contexts to highlight the pervasiveness of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widespread situation" is a noun phrase used to describe a condition or problem that is common or prevalent, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis. The phrase is grammatically correct and can be applied across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. While not extremely frequent, it is a useful phrase to describe a common state of affairs. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is suitable for general use, provided specific context is supplied to provide clarity. Consider alternatives such as "a prevalent condition" or "a common predicament" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prevalent condition

Substitutes 'widespread' with 'prevalent' and 'situation' with 'condition', denoting a common state.

a common predicament

Replaces 'situation' with 'predicament', implying a difficult or unpleasant circumstance.

a general occurrence

Replaces 'widespread' with 'general' and 'situation' with 'occurrence', suggesting a common event.

a recurring scenario

Uses 'recurring' instead of 'widespread' and 'scenario' for 'situation', implying that it repeats.

a commonplace event

This alternative focuses on the frequency and ordinariness of the event or situation, using "commonplace" to convey that it is something that happens regularly and is therefore not particularly special or surprising.

a broad phenomenon

Replaces 'widespread situation' with 'broad phenomenon', indicating a widespread and noticeable event or fact.

a familiar state of affairs

This alternative is a more formal and descriptive way of saying a common or well-known situation.

a universal problem

Substitutes 'widespread situation' with 'universal problem', implying that the issue is not limited to a specific context and affects everyone.

a shared experience

This alternative emphasize the collective nature of the situation, implying that many people or entities are going through the same thing, creating a sense of unity or mutual understanding due to the commonality of the experience.

a typical case

Replaces 'widespread situation' with 'typical case', suggesting the situation is representative of a larger pattern and it's an example of what's usually happening.

FAQs

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

You can use "a widespread situation" to describe a problem or condition that is common. For example, "The lack of affordable housing is "a widespread situation" in many major cities".

What's a more formal alternative to "a widespread situation"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a prevalent condition", "a common predicament", or "a recurring scenario".

Is it always necessary to specify the context when using "a widespread situation"?

While not always required, specifying the context makes your statement clearer and more impactful. For instance, instead of just saying "it's "a widespread situation"", you might say "it's a widespread situation in the education sector".

What are some potential negative connotations of "a widespread situation"?

The phrase often implies a negative or problematic issue. If you want to describe a common positive trend, consider using "a widespread trend" or "a common practice" instead.