an overwhelming pressure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overwhelming pressure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong or intense feeling of stress or burden in various contexts, such as work, personal life, or emotional situations. Example: "She felt an overwhelming pressure to succeed in her new job, which made it difficult for her to focus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

That deadline created an overwhelming pressure.

The New York Times

Students spend very little time on their job hunt in their final year due to an overwhelming pressure to get a 2 1.

The Guardian

Connecticut had amassed a 14-point lead in the first half, using an overwhelming pressure defense and a speedy transition game.

The New York Times - Sports

The Oscars, as with most cultural events, are now imbued with an overwhelming pressure regarding optics.

Vice

We get such an overwhelming pressure to give in to this pleasure that we forget what we just went through.

Huffington Post

While many black women feel an overwhelming pressure to up their game and become more desirable in the effort to increase their chances, many black men feel the numbers are in their favor and can (though not always) have a tendency to either date multiple women, or put off commitment for later, which is actually an overall trend, no matter the race.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It might be the competition of warfare, or business competition, but as soon as any entity gains any short-term advantage, there becomes an almost overwhelming pressure to push the technology everywhere possible, because nobody wants to be at a disadvantage.

BBC

The EU had planned to sign an Association Agreement with Ukraine last month, and was shocked when President Yanukovych walked away from the negotiating table a week beforehand, citing overwhelming pressure from Moscow.

Independent

This was just a few months before overwhelming pressure from the financial markets dramatically forced the UK out of the ERM, which linked European currencies - an ignominious and chaotic political disaster from which the Major government never really recovered.

BBC

The doctrine of necessity in Anglo-American law relates to situations in which a person, confronted by the overwhelming pressure of natural forces, must make a choice between evils and engages in conduct that would otherwise be considered criminal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He added: "To say that Europe is under overwhelming pressure is an exaggeration".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overwhelming pressure", consider specifying the source of the pressure to provide clarity and context for your reader. For instance, "an overwhelming pressure to meet deadlines".

Common error

Avoid using "an overwhelming pressure" without providing sufficient context. Vague statements can leave your audience wondering about the source and nature of the pressure, diminishing the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overwhelming pressure" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe intense stress or burden.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

11%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overwhelming pressure" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to communicate intense stress or burden. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in English writing. While not extremely common, it appears across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. Related phrases include "intense strain" and "immense burden". When using this phrase, ensure you provide enough context to clarify the source and nature of the pressure. By analyzing its function, purpose, register, and usage patterns, we gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively employ this impactful phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense strain

Replaces "overwhelming pressure" with synonyms that emphasize the feeling of tension and stress.

immense burden

Substitutes "overwhelming pressure" with terms that highlight the weight and responsibility felt.

tremendous strain

Similar to "intense strain", but uses a different adjective to describe the level of stress.

severe stress

Focuses on the psychological impact of the pressure, using "stress" to emphasize the mental strain.

crushing weight

Emphasizes the oppressive nature of the pressure, depicting it as a heavy load.

acute pressure

Highlights the sharpness and intensity of the feeling of pressure.

unbearable stress

Indicates that the pressure is too much to handle, emphasizing the difficulty in coping.

extreme duress

Uses a more formal term, "duress", to describe the severity of the pressure.

overpowering demand

Shifts the focus to the external forces creating the pressure, emphasizing the intensity of the requirements.

relentless obligation

Highlights the continuous and inescapable nature of the pressure, emphasizing the feeling of duty.

FAQs

How can I use "an overwhelming pressure" in a sentence?

You can use "an overwhelming pressure" to describe a situation where someone feels intense stress or burden. For example: "She felt "an overwhelming pressure" to succeed in her new job."

What are some alternatives to "an overwhelming pressure"?

You can use alternatives like "intense strain", "immense burden", or "tremendous strain" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "an overwhelming pressure"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase uses an adjective ("overwhelming") to describe the noun ("pressure").

What's the difference between "an overwhelming pressure" and "intense pressure"?

"An overwhelming pressure" implies a feeling of being burdened or stressed to a very high degree, while "intense pressure" simply denotes a high degree of pressure without necessarily implying a negative emotional impact.