be stuck with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be stuck with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a situation where someone is left with something undesirable or unavoidable. Example: "After the project was canceled, I was stuck with all the leftover materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He would be stuck with the strawberries.

The New Yorker

"We'd be stuck with him".

The New York Times - Sports

Others may be stuck with their choices.

The New York Times

The Cubs might be stuck with him.

The New York Times - Sports

You're going to be stuck with a lousy economy anyway.

The New York Times

Then Mr. Icahn would be stuck with that lower price.

The New York Times

But at least it is to be stuck with money.

The New York Times - Magazine

Under the status quo it may be stuck with neither.

The Economist

Instead, we're likely to be stuck with more muddling-through.

The Guardian - Business

We cannot be stuck with an agreement 20 years old.

The Guardian

Otherwise you would be stuck with bad inventory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance you want to convey: "burdened", "saddled", or "left" may be more appropriate depending on whether you want to emphasize negativity, imposition, or simply the remaining state.

Common error

Avoid using "be stuck with" when the situation is temporary or easily remedied. Using it implies a lasting or difficult-to-change circumstance. Consider alternatives like "dealing with" or "handling" for temporary situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be stuck with" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used with the auxiliary verb "be" to describe a state of being in which someone is burdened or encumbered by something undesirable. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that it conveys a lack of control or choice in a given situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be stuck with" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to express being burdened by an undesirable or unavoidable situation. Ludwig AI confirms this, with many real-world examples drawn from news, media, wiki, and science sources. While generally neutral, its register can shift towards informal depending on context. When writing, ensure the phrase accurately reflects a sense of permanence or difficulty in changing the situation, and consider alternatives like "be burdened with" or "be left with" to fine-tune the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be burdened with

Focuses on the negative weight or difficulty associated with the situation.

be saddled by

Very close to 'be saddled with,' emphasizing being burdened.

be saddled with

Emphasizes the imposition of an unwanted responsibility or problem.

be left with

Highlights the remaining state after other options are exhausted.

be encumbered by

Suggests being held back or hindered by something.

be afflicted with

Implies suffering or distress due to something.

be hampered by

Indicates that progress is being impeded by something.

be plagued by

Suggests persistent trouble or annoyance caused by something.

be constrained by

Highlights the limitations or restrictions imposed by something.

be cursed with

Implies a sense of misfortune or doom.

FAQs

How can I use "be stuck with" in a sentence?

You can use "be stuck with" to indicate that someone is in an undesirable situation that is difficult to change, such as "If we buy this car, we'll be stuck with the payments for five years".

What can I say instead of "be stuck with"?

You can use alternatives like "be burdened with", "be saddled with", or "be left with" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "being stuck with"?

Yes, "being stuck with" is grammatically correct. It is often used as a gerund phrase functioning as a noun, such as in the sentence "Being stuck with this old computer is frustrating".

What is the difference between "be stuck with" and "be faced with"?

"Be stuck with" implies a lack of choice and an undesirable, often permanent, situation. "Be faced with" simply means encountering a situation or problem that needs to be addressed, without the connotation of being trapped or without options.