atrocious situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "atrocious situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very bad or shocking circumstance or condition. Example: "The community was in an atrocious situation after the natural disaster, with many families displaced and in need of assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was not very difficult to get that information - that if the war happens, Iran would take an enormous role, that the situation would be absolutely catastrophic, and that the turn of events would leave the US and Great Britain involved in an atrocious situation".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Some of the graver and more prominent problems include lack of sufficient foreign investment, mismanagement in all tiers of our economic system, political isolation leading to [a] deteriorating economic situation, atrocious unemployment [and] high inflation".

The New York Times

"We have been fighting for more money for years, and our school situation is atrocious," Mr. Sarclette said.

The New York Times

Also, sadly, the Security Council has not been able to refer to the Court some situations where atrocious crimes are happening, where no domestic investigations are happening and where the Court has no jurisdiction absent the Council's referral.

Huffington Post

Dallas Goldtooth, a protest organizer with the Indigenous Environmental Network, said the situation was "an atrocious example that colonization has not ended for us here as indigenous people" and that the government's request would escalate already rocky tensions.

The Guardian

In a video posted on Facebook, Clark admitted that "logistics have been atrocious and chaotic," attributing the situation to the "nature of self-organizing" and the fact that more veterans showed up than were expected.

Vice

He said he couldn't remain silent any more after hearing about the Shawn Hornbeck incident: "I try to get her out of my mind as much as possible, but the damage she does to unsuspecting people in crisis situations is just atrocious".

The Guardian

The situation has been particularly atrocious in the juvenile system that serves Memphis and the surrounding area in Shelby County, Tenn.

The New York Times

Ten years ago, the situation for workers was atrocious.

Vice

The student loan situation in the U.S. was atrocious then, and it continues to be atrocious now.

TechCrunch

"At the same time, the situation for many women who are poor remains atrocious".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as "atrocious", ensure that the severity aligns with the connotations of the word "atrocious", which implies something shockingly bad or brutal. It's stronger than merely 'bad' or 'unpleasant'.

Common error

Avoid using "atrocious" to describe situations that are only mildly negative or inconvenient. Reserve it for truly appalling conditions to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "atrocious situation" functions primarily as a noun phrase with an adjective modifying the noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage. It describes a specific state or set of circumstances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "atrocious situation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe severely negative or problematic circumstances. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys a strong sense of negativity and is suitable for both formal and informal communication, albeit with a tendency toward formal usage. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the described situation genuinely warrants the strong negative connotation associated with "atrocious". Alternatives such as "terrible predicament" or "horrendous state of affairs" can be considered depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible predicament

Replaces "atrocious" with "terrible" and "situation" with "predicament", both indicating a difficult or unpleasant circumstance.

dreadful circumstances

Substitutes "atrocious" with "dreadful" and "situation" with "circumstances", maintaining the sense of severe negativity.

horrendous state of affairs

Uses "horrendous" instead of "atrocious" and replaces "situation" with the broader term "state of affairs", emphasizing the gravity of the issue.

dire straits

Employs the idiom "dire straits" to convey a situation of extreme difficulty or danger, similar to an "atrocious situation".

deplorable condition

Replaces "atrocious" with "deplorable" and "situation" with "condition", both indicating a state that is worthy of strong condemnation.

appalling mess

Utilizes "appalling mess" to describe a situation that is shockingly bad and disorganized, akin to an "atrocious situation".

grievous plight

Substitutes "atrocious" with "grievous" and "situation" with "plight", highlighting the severity and distressing nature of the situation.

catastrophic scenario

Replaces "atrocious" with "catastrophic" and "situation" with "scenario", emphasizing the disastrous potential or reality of the situation.

critical juncture

Employs "critical juncture" to convey a situation that has reached a decisive point.

unfavorable circumstances

Substitutes "atrocious" with "unfavorable" which suggests a less severe negative impact than the original phrase.

FAQs

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

You can use "atrocious situation" to describe any circumstance characterized by extreme unpleasantness or severity. For example, "The economic downturn created an "atrocious situation" for many families."

What are some alternatives to saying "atrocious situation"?

You can use alternatives like "terrible predicament", "dreadful circumstances", or "horrendous state of affairs depending on the context.

What makes a situation qualify as "atrocious"?

A situation qualifies as "atrocious" when it involves extreme suffering, cruelty, or is shockingly bad. It implies a severe negative impact on those involved.

Is "atrocious situation" formal or informal?

The phrase "atrocious situation" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in news reports and formal discussions about serious issues.