bad situation

USAGE SUMMARY

"bad situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a difficult, undesirable, or unpleasant circumstances. For example: "The family was facing a bad situation as the father was laid off and the mother was seriously ill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was bad situation.

The New Yorker

It is bad situation.

The New Yorker

It's a really bad situation".

Independent

"It's a bad situation," he said.

The New York Times

"It is a really bad situation".

The New York Times

"It's a bad situation," Mr. Wolfe said.

The New York Times

"It's a bad situation, sad," he said.

The New York Times

A bad situation can easily get worse.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He has inherited a very bad situation.

The Guardian

"Really awesome response to a bad situation".

The Guardian - Sport

They mustn't make a bad situation worse.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bad situation", consider the audience and context to determine if a more specific or nuanced term would be more appropriate. For example, in a business setting, "challenging circumstances" might be preferred over "bad situation".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the generic phrase "bad situation". Instead, provide specific details about the nature of the problem to enhance clarity and impact. For example, instead of saying "The company is in a bad situation", specify "The company is facing declining sales due to increased competition".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad situation" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and widely used. For example, "It's a bad situation" uses it as a subject complement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bad situation" is a commonly used phrase to describe undesirable circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While versatile, it is generally more appropriate in neutral contexts. When writing, consider replacing "bad situation" with more specific alternatives like "difficult predicament" or "adverse circumstances" to enhance clarity and impact. Overuse should be avoided by providing precise details about the nature of the problem at hand. Top sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adverse circumstances

General term for unfavorable conditions.

unfavorable circumstance

Highlights the negative aspect of the circumstances at hand.

unfortunate state of affairs

Focuses on the regrettable and undesirable nature of the situation.

difficult predicament

Emphasizes the challenging and perplexing nature of the situation.

precarious condition

Emphasizes the instability and risk associated with the situation.

troubled waters

Suggests a situation filled with difficulties and potential dangers.

grim reality

Highlights the harsh and unpleasant truth of the circumstances.

dire straits

Implies a more severe and urgent level of distress.

awkward position

Highlights the uncomfortable and potentially embarrassing nature of the scenario.

messy affair

Focuses on the disorganized and complicated elements of the problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad situation" to describe an unfavorable set of circumstances. For example: "The lack of funding has created a "bad situation" for the research team.".

What are some alternatives to saying "bad situation"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use phrases like "difficult predicament", "unfavorable circumstance", or "adverse circumstances".

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "bad situation" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "bad situation" can sometimes sound informal. In formal contexts, consider using more precise and sophisticated alternatives to convey the severity and complexity of the situation.

How do I avoid overuse of the phrase "bad situation"?

To avoid overuse, try to identify the specific aspects of the situation that make it "bad". Then, use more descriptive language to communicate those specific issues, rather than relying on the general term.