awfully fraught

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully fraught" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is filled with anxiety, tension, or difficulty, often in a negative context. Example: "The negotiations were awfully fraught, with both sides struggling to find common ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Shopping is awfully fraught.

The New York Times - Style

Their Troopergate investigation was awfully fraught, and exacerbated by the feelings the Spitzer people had for the Cuomo peoiple and vice versa.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He made Jim Leyland's job awfully easy Tuesday night, Jim Caple writes on ESPN.com, despite a few fraught minutes in the ninth inning.

The New York Times - Sports

Awfully wrong".

The New York Times - Magazine

Awfully quick.

The New Yorker

Awfully good.

The New York Times - Sports

That looks awfully different.

Yale University

It sounded awfully familiar.

Stanford University

Fraught, innit?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was awfully high, but awfully lonesome.

The New Yorker

They get more fraught.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awfully fraught" to describe situations where both tension and potential negative consequences are present. It's stronger than simply saying something is difficult.

Common error

Avoid using "awfully fraught" to describe mildly inconvenient situations. The phrase suggests a significant level of anxiety or risk, so reserve it for appropriately serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully fraught" functions as an intensifier ("awfully") modifying an adjective ("fraught"). It describes a situation or circumstance as being filled with extreme tension, anxiety, or difficulty. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and use in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awfully fraught" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe situations filled with extreme tension or difficulty. According to Ludwig, while relatively uncommon, the phrase is deemed correct and suitable for formal writing, as it often appears in "News & Media". When writing, consider alternatives like "extremely tense" or "deeply troubled" to fit the specific context and desired emphasis, and reserve "awfully fraught" for situations where significant anxiety and risk are present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely tense

Replaces "awfully" with "extremely" to emphasize the high degree of tension.

deeply troubled

Shifts focus from tension to emotional distress and concern.

highly precarious

Emphasizes the element of risk and instability in the situation.

terribly difficult

Simplifies the expression to highlight the severe level of difficulty.

intensely problematic

Focuses on the significant problems associated with the situation.

exceptionally complex

Highlights the complicated and multifaceted nature of the situation.

particularly delicate

Emphasizes the need for careful handling due to sensitivity.

seriously concerning

Highlights the worrying aspects and potential negative outcomes.

alarmingly unstable

Emphasizes the lack of stability and potential for sudden negative changes.

risky and complicated

Highlights both the element of risk and the complex nature of the situation, breaking the single adjective 'fraught' into two descriptions.

FAQs

How can I use "awfully fraught" in a sentence?

Use "awfully fraught" to describe a situation filled with tension, anxiety, and potential negative outcomes. For example, "The negotiations were awfully fraught, with both sides struggling to find common ground."

What are some alternatives to "awfully fraught"?

Alternatives include "extremely tense", "deeply troubled", or "highly precarious", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "awfully fraught" a formal or informal expression?

"Awfully fraught" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression, suitable for both news reporting and professional communication. The level of formality depends more on the overall tone of the writing.

What makes a situation "awfully fraught"?

A situation is "awfully fraught" when it's characterized by high levels of tension, significant potential for negative consequences, and a sense of unease or anxiety. It implies more than simple difficulty; it suggests a situation laden with risk and emotional strain.