causing the predicament

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "causing the predicament" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or factors that lead to a difficult or challenging situation. Example: "The lack of communication among team members is causing the predicament we find ourselves in today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nandipha recounted that when she shared with a clinic counsellor her anxiety that her newborn might be positive, she was accused of causing the predicament by 'playing with her body'.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The recession worsened, but did not cause, the predicament now: a mountain of student debt and dearth of legal jobs, even as there is a crying need for legal services.

The New York Times

If Halbig stands, the ruling might at last be the tugged thread that causes the whole law to unravel.The current predicament stems from two main problems with Obamacare.

The Economist

It makes sense: In many predicaments, we can rarely be sure who caused the breakdown, or why.

Huffington Post

It's monotonous, and so you just bide your time and slowly but surely people will stop being so defensive about it and realize that they have a real predicament on their hands; not a predicament that we caused, but a predicament caused by the data," Roughgarden says.

Science Magazine

When Channel 4 unveils its 2014 results tomorrow it will be in upbeat mode, banging the drum about its recovery at last from the predicament caused by the 2009 decision to axe Big Brother, its biggest source of income and audiences.

The Guardian

Sadly, a disapproving tut at those whose greed has caused our predicament does nothing to remedy the problems we all face.

The Guardian - Business

Vaughn said he did not think his relationship with Easler would cause a predicament.

The New York Times - Sports

Never fear: the momentary pain caused by your predicament is our (your colonial cousins five hundred years in the future) gain, because it is destined to be fodder for an excellent academic tome, "Rich Apparel: Clothing and the Law in Henry VIII's England," by Maria Hayword, which tracks down, to the final detail, who wore what when and where and for what reason.

The New Yorker

Charlie Kindel, a longtime Microsoft manager who joined its mobile team in early 2009, compared the pain caused by starting over to the predicament of Aron Ralston, the hiker who amputated his own arm in 2003 after it was it pinned under a boulder in the Utah desert.

The New York Times

"I think every country in the world responsible for CO2 emissions have some measure of responsibility for the predicament they've caused.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "causing the predicament" when you want to clearly identify the action that directly leads to a challenging or difficult situation. It's particularly effective in formal writing when specifying causality is important.

Common error

Avoid using "causing the predicament" in casual conversations. Its formal tone can sound stilted or overly dramatic in everyday situations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "creating problems" or "making things difficult".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "causing the predicament" functions as a gerund phrase, often used to describe an action that leads to a difficult situation. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "causing the predicament" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase used to describe the action that leads to a difficult situation. While considered rare in general usage, it finds relevance in formal and analytical contexts like news reports and scientific articles. Ludwig confirms its validity, noting its function in identifying the root of challenging circumstances. When writing, consider the formality of the context to avoid sounding stilted and use it judiciously for precise causal attribution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leading to the crisis

Focuses more on the consequence being a crisis, a high-stakes situation.

resulting in the dilemma

Emphasizes the outcome as a dilemma, implying a difficult choice between options.

generating the problem

Highlights the creation of a problem, rather than a broader predicament.

precipitating the difficulty

Suggests a sudden or hastened onset of the difficult situation.

triggering the trouble

Implies that the action set off a chain of events leading to trouble.

bringing about the mess

Uses a more informal term, "mess", to describe the situation.

creating the quandary

Focuses on the intellectual puzzle or challenge of a quandary.

inducing the plight

Emphasizes the unfortunate or pitiable nature of the situation.

fostering the hardship

Suggests that the action contributed to the growth or development of hardship.

incurring the adversity

Highlights the experience of facing or suffering from the adversity.

FAQs

How can I use "causing the predicament" in a sentence?

You can use "causing the predicament" to describe the action or event that leads to a difficult situation. For example, "The lack of communication is causing the predicament /s/current+situation we're in".

What are some alternatives to "causing the predicament"?

Alternatives include "leading to the crisis", "resulting in the dilemma", or "generating the problem", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "causing the predicament" formal or informal?

"Causing the predicament" leans towards the formal side. In informal contexts, consider using simpler phrases like "making trouble" or "creating problems".

What is the difference between "causing the predicament" and "contributing to the predicament"?

"Causing the predicament" implies a direct and significant role in bringing about the difficult situation. "Contributing to the predicament" /s/add+to+the+situation suggests a less direct, but still influential, role.