allowing for nightmare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowing for nightmare" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of considering or accommodating a nightmare scenario, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "In planning for the event, we must consider all possibilities, allowing for nightmare scenarios that could disrupt our schedule."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Carroll was allowing for nightmare, murderous impulses.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In fact, leader of center-right former ruling party Civic Platform and former Polish Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna told protesters gathered at a rally in May that, "[Poles would] not allow for the nightmare of authoritarian rule to happen".

Huffington Post

I am furious at the failure of the criminal justice system, at all levels, for allowing this nightmare to continue and for the negligence that enabled it to come to this tragic end.

Huffington Post

"And 'black pressure' is Turkish for nightmare".

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Stibel said it would have been an "administrative nightmare" to allow matching for contributions to multiple state plans.

The New York Times

And Turkey has been inexorably drawn into the nightmare in Syria, lambasted for allowing foreign jihadists to cross its borders.

BBC

Prepare for nightmares for claustrophobic small children.

Independent

It's music for nightmares.

Vice

"Abyan's Kafkaesque nightmare has been allowed to carry on for far too long.

The Guardian

Background: Nightmares are rare in the sleep laboratory, even in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder for whom nightmare complaints are diagnostic.

Biological Psychiatry

We are all just waiting for this nightmare to end".

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential negative outcomes, prioritize clear and widely accepted phrases like "preparing for the worst" or "considering worst-case scenarios" over the less common phrase "allowing for nightmare".

Common error

Avoid using "allowing for nightmare" if you intend to convey simply 'considering' a negative outcome. The phrase can be misinterpreted as enabling or facilitating something terrible, rather than just accounting for its possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowing for nightmare" functions as a present participle phrase acting as a modifier. According to Ludwig AI, it is not correct in standard written English. It aims to express the act of considering or preparing for a potentially disastrous situation, though its grammatical structure is questionable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allowing for nightmare" attempts to convey considering or preparing for a disastrous possibility. However, Ludwig AI flags it as not correct in standard written English. While examples exist primarily in news and media contexts, clearer and more established alternatives like "planning for the worst" or "considering worst-case scenarios" are generally preferred. Its infrequent usage and potential for misinterpretation suggest caution when using this phrase. It functions as a participial phrase, and seeks to address communicative intent by acknowledging potential negative outcomes. Therefore, while its intent may be clear in certain contexts, opting for more conventional phrasing will ensure better clarity and wider acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering a worst-case scenario

Focuses specifically on negative scenarios and emphasizes the act of thinking about them.

planning for potential disasters

Highlights the proactive element of preparing for catastrophic events.

considering negative possibilities

Directly addresses the act of thinking about unfavorable outcomes.

preparing for the worst

A common idiom that emphasizes readiness for the most negative outcome.

anticipating potential crises

Focuses on foreseeing and preparing for critical or dangerous situations.

accounting for possible setbacks

Emphasizes the inclusion of potential delays or impediments in a plan.

factoring in potential problems

Highlights the incorporation of possible issues into a calculation or assessment.

being prepared for the worst outcome

Stresses the state of readiness for the most unfavorable result.

thinking about possible catastrophes

Emphasizes the act of contemplating disastrous events.

making provisions for adverse events

Highlights setting aside resources or actions to cope with negative occurrences.

FAQs

What's a clearer way to say "allowing for nightmare"?

Consider using phrases like "planning for the worst", "considering worst-case scenarios", or "preparing for potential disasters" for better clarity.

Is "allowing for nightmare" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "allowing for nightmare" isn't a standard or widely recognized idiomatic expression. It's better to use more established phrases for clearer communication.

When is it appropriate to use "allowing for nightmare"?

It's generally safer to avoid "allowing for nightmare" in formal writing. Use it cautiously in informal contexts where the intended meaning is very clear from the surrounding text.

What does it mean to "allow for" something?

To "allow for" something typically means to take it into consideration or make provision for it. However, in the case of "allowing for nightmare", the phrase might be more accurately represented as "considering a nightmare scenario".