basic plight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basic plight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fundamental or essential struggle or difficulty faced by someone or a group. Example: "The documentary highlighted the basic plight of refugees seeking safety and stability in foreign lands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The squatters have unique legal circumstances, but their basic plight is familiar.

Vice

The Harry Potter books touch on themes that might seem obvious to us adult readers—you know, the basic plight of good vs. evil (there's also a bit of union organizing in the fourth book)—but for younger readers it is crucial that they learn these things maybe just a few years before they delve into Dante's Inferno.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Should sustainable development goals focus on the unsustainable and unhealthy lifestyles of the rich as well as on the plight and basic needs of the poor?

The Guardian

Mr. Cohen conveniently ignores the basic cause of the Palestinian plight — the Arab rejection of the separate UNSCOP and the U.N. General Assembly partition proposals of 1947, effectively creating separate Jewish and Palestinian states, in direct contrast to the acceptance of both proposals by the Jews.

The New York Times

These included availability of supplies and basic equipment, recognition of their plight by unit administrators and adequate protection at the workplace.

BMC Medical Education

The first-ever Universal Health Coverage Day today will, I hope, help to focus the world's attention on the plight of millions lacking the basic human right to have equal access to effective, quality health services without the fear of financial hardship.

The Guardian

He said the play concerns the plight of women fighting for their basic human rights in an Islamic society.

The New York Times

Media investigations found they and workers like them had been living and working in squalid conditions without basic sanitation, and the case brought attention to the plight of foreign workers in Greece's desperate economy.

Independent

They complain the politicians live in comfortable villas and enjoy the use of official cars, but do little to alleviate the plight of citizens struggling to cover the basics of food, housing and heating.

BBC

Illinois budget's basic problem is that its expenses exceed its income -- highlighted by the University of Illinois' budget plight, a plight which may bring another conservative fiscal scolding by a lawmaker angling for Quinn's job -- State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington).

Huffington Post

Their plight is compounded by a lack of access to basic social services.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "basic plight", ensure the context clearly establishes the individuals or groups experiencing the hardship. Providing specific examples or details can enhance the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "basic plight" in situations that require more nuanced or specific language. The phrase can sometimes sound generic if not supported by sufficient detail. Consider whether a more precise term would better capture the specific challenges involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic plight" functions as a noun phrase, where "basic" modifies "plight". It denotes a fundamental or essential state of hardship or suffering. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate to use this phrase to describe a fundamental or essential struggle or difficulty faced by someone or a group.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basic plight" is a noun phrase used to describe a fundamental state of hardship. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While grammatically sound and appearing in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its frequency is rare. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, it's best to provide specific details to enhance the impact and avoid sounding generic. Alternatives such as "fundamental hardship" or "essential struggle" may be considered based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental hardship

Replaces "plight" with a direct synonym emphasizing difficulty.

essential struggle

Uses "struggle" to highlight the effort involved in the difficulty.

core difficulty

Focuses on the central and most important aspect of the trouble.

underlying problem

Shifts the focus to the root cause of the distress.

primary challenge

Replaces "plight" with "challenge", framing it as something to overcome.

root cause of suffering

Emphasizes the origin of the distress.

fundamental adversity

Replaces "plight" with a more formal term for hardship.

chief predicament

Uses a more formal word, "predicament", to describe the difficult situation.

main source of trouble

Highlights the principal origin of the problems.

major area of concern

Presents the difficulty as something requiring attention.

FAQs

How can I use "basic plight" in a sentence?

You can use "basic plight" to describe the fundamental or essential struggles faced by individuals or groups. For instance, "The documentary highlighted the basic plight of refugees seeking safety".

What can I say instead of "basic plight"?

Consider using alternatives such as "fundamental hardship", "essential struggle", or "core difficulty" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "basic plight" in formal writing?

Yes, "basic plight" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing social issues or humanitarian concerns. However, ensure that your usage is clear and supported by relevant details.

What's the difference between "basic plight" and "predicament"?

"Plight" generally refers to a distressing situation or condition, while "predicament" implies a difficult or troublesome situation. The "chief predicament" may refer to the most important or major difficult situation.