an unenviable position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unenviable position" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a difficult, uncomfortable, or undesirable situation. For example, "The CEO found himself in an unenviable position after the company's losses became public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Tiger's in an unenviable position.

The New York Times - Sports

The Fed is in an unenviable position.

The New York Times

The predicament has placed Pietersen in an unenviable position too.

Independent

The European Central Bank is in an unenviable position.

The New York Times

Finchem quickly patched things up with Woods, but he's now in an unenviable position.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hillary Clinton was in an unenviable position in last night's CNN debate from Austin.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The election year timing puts the White House in an especially unenviable position.

The Economist

As the Olympic basketball tournament opened this weekend -- the women were scheduled to play on Saturday against North Korea and the men meet China on Sunday -- the Americans find themselves in an almost unenviable position.

The New York Times - Sports

Brown was in a rare, unenviable position as someone who made a foolish decision that impacted dozens of other people.

The New York Times - Sports

As the sequence reveals, the crew's main objective is to neutralize an active volcano, which lands Spock (Zachary Quinto) in a particularly unenviable position.

Huffington Post

"But I think they are in a real unenviable position.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unenviable position" to describe situations where someone is in a challenging or undesirable circumstance, often due to external pressures or difficult choices.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "an unenviable position" in very informal settings might sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler phrases like "tough spot" or "difficult situation" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unenviable position" functions as a noun phrase, with "unenviable" acting as an adjective modifying the noun "position". It describes the state or condition someone or something is in, highlighting its unfavorable nature. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unenviable position" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase in English to describe a difficult or undesirable situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in News & Media sources. While appropriate for formal contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual conversation. When writing with this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a situation marked by challenges and external pressures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult situation

This is a more general term that captures the core meaning of "an unenviable position" without the nuance of suggesting it's particularly undesirable.

a tough spot

This is a more informal and concise way to describe being in "an unenviable position".

a precarious situation

This alternative highlights the instability and potential danger of the position.

a challenging predicament

This phrase emphasizes the difficulty and complexity of the situation.

an awkward spot

This describes the uncomfortable or embarrassing aspect of the situation.

an undesirable circumstance

This formally conveys that the situation is not wanted or liked.

an uncomfortable situation

This highlights the feeling of unease and discomfort associated with the position.

a regrettable situation

This suggests that the situation is unfortunate and causes sorrow or disappointment.

a sticky situation

This is an informal way of saying the situation is complicated and difficult to resolve.

a tight corner

This idiom implies being in a difficult situation from which it is hard to escape.

FAQs

How can I use "an unenviable position" in a sentence?

You can use "an unenviable position" to describe a situation where someone is in a difficult or undesirable circumstance. For example, "The company's financial troubles put the CEO in "an unenviable position"."

What are some alternatives to "an unenviable position"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a difficult situation", "a tough spot", or "a challenging predicament".

Is it appropriate to use "an unenviable position" in formal writing?

Yes, "an unenviable position" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe a challenging or undesirable circumstance.

What makes a position "unenviable"?

A position is "unenviable" when it involves difficult choices, external pressures, or potential negative outcomes, making it undesirable for the person in that situation.