an increasing predicament

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an increasing predicament" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is becoming more difficult or challenging over time. Example: "As the deadline approached, the team found themselves in an increasing predicament, struggling to meet their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It puts the A's in an increasing predicament, and as year-to-year leases of the Coliseum are not ideal, the team is continuing to explore other options and potential cities.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The condition often will affect patient groups who are already at an increased thrombotic risk due to their clinical predicament such as those with renal failure or requiring renal replacement therapy.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

It is an unusual predicament, at a time when increasing volatility in real estate markets elsewhere has emerged as one of the biggest challenges to global growth.

The New York Times

Creative solutions are needed to resolve the predicament of increasing human demand for fish protein and nutrients amid growing concerns about the global viability of wild fish stocks.

Environmental Health Perspectives

I'm in a bit of a predicament.

The New York Times - Books

Energy problems seems to be a major predicament limiting SMEs growth in Nigeria and this has continually hindered the existence of virile business environment and led to increasing high cost of production and doing business in Nigeria.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Reasons for such predicament might include an intensive regulatory environment, a competitive market, the elevated bar of existing medicines for further innovation and the increasing cost of mega-trials.

BMC Systems Biology

"It was a bit of a funny predicament.

BBC

It's an existential predicament".

The Guardian - Arts

Barack Obama, meanwhile, faces an inverse predicament.

The Economist

"It was an amazing predicament.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an increasing predicament", ensure the context clearly establishes what is causing the predicament to intensify. Providing specific details about the factors contributing to its escalation enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid pairing "an increasing predicament" with vague or redundant adjectives. Phrases like "very increasing predicament" weaken the overall impact. Choose precise language that highlights the specific nature of the predicament.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an increasing predicament" functions as a noun phrase, with "increasing" modifying the noun "predicament". It describes a situation characterized by growing difficulty. As Ludwig AI suggests, this describes a situation becoming more challenging over time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an increasing predicament" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe a situation that is becoming more difficult or challenging, as Ludwig AI confirms. While not exceedingly common, it's appropriate for a range of contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal communications. It serves to emphasize the escalating nature of a problem, conveying urgency and concern. Alternatives such as "a growing dilemma" or "a worsening situation" may be used depending on the specific nuance desired. When using the phrase, be sure to provide context that clarifies the nature and causes of the intensifying problem to enhance its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a growing dilemma

Replaces "predicament" with "dilemma" to suggest a difficult choice or problem with no clear solution.

a worsening situation

Uses more general terms to describe the negative progression of events.

a mounting crisis

Emphasizes the urgent and critical nature of the intensifying problem.

an escalating challenge

Highlights the growing difficulty and the need for a proactive response.

a deepening quandary

Replaces "predicament" with "quandary" to suggest a state of perplexity or uncertainty.

an intensifying problem

Directly states that a problem is getting more severe.

a heightening difficulty

Emphasizes the rising level of challenge or obstacle.

a snowballing issue

Implies that an issue is growing rapidly and uncontrollably.

a compounding complexity

Focuses on the accumulation of factors that make a situation more intricate.

a burgeoning hardship

Suggests that a hardship is expanding or flourishing.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "an increasing predicament" in a sentence?

To use "an increasing predicament" effectively, clearly define the situation causing the problem and emphasize its progression. For example, "Due to budget cuts, the school system faces "an increasing predicament" as resources dwindle and student needs grow".

What are some alternatives to using "an increasing predicament"?

You can use alternatives like "a growing dilemma", "a worsening situation", or "a mounting crisis" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "an increasing predicament" formal or informal?

"An increasing predicament" is generally considered suitable for both neutral and formal contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, or professional communications. The tone can be adjusted by choosing different adjectives or descriptive details.

What makes "an increasing predicament" different from "a difficult situation"?

"An increasing predicament" specifically implies that the difficulty is not static; it's actively worsening or intensifying over time. In contrast, "a difficult situation" simply describes a challenging circumstance without necessarily indicating progression.