considerable duress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considerable duress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is under significant pressure or stress, often in a legal or psychological context. Example: "The confession was obtained under considerable duress, raising questions about its validity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The admission he made yesterday, under considerable duress, now releases him from a personal "prison".

Independent

"On her account... this was a grave example of a marriage which was forced under considerable duress, involving at one stage the production of a gun and physical violence upon her".

Independent

Tiffert added that an alleged confession by Gu would have been made "under considerable duress – duress that would call into question the credibility of the confession in our system".

The Guardian

But these embarrassments are mere preliminaries to what McCain considers the three great mistakes of his adult life: signing a prison confession that he was a war criminal, under considerable duress; his role in the Keating Five savings-and-loan scandal; and his responsibility for the dissolution of his first marriage, to Carol Shepp, after he returned home from Vietnam.

The New Yorker

"If blocking ads doesn't violate their TOS, why should flagging fake news?" Under considerable duress following the election, Facebook has expressed its intentions to combat the myriad forms of fake news that run rampant on its massive social platform.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A woman reluctantly agreed to send literature, though only under considerable lordly duress.

The Guardian

This research evaluates the effects of various elevated temperature cycles and peaks on the compression behaviour of pultruded fibre reinforce polymer (FRP) samples as a means of highlighting the durability and strength of FRP material under conditions designed to replicate considerable environmental duress.

Composite Structures

Many children and families affected by HIV/AIDS are destitute or living under considerable economic duress.

AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV

We might not like the look of sledging and it's debatable that any of it this summer was good for the game, but perhaps the Australians – against considerable forces and under the type of emotional duress that only they could truly comprehend – played exactly as they would have with Hughes in their midst.

The Guardian - Sport

In both the United States and the European Union, the tyranny of narrow interests has the potential to trump the collective good — a considerable risk in light of the populist sentiments that economic duress has stoked on both sides of the Atlantic.

The New York Times

There is emotional duress, too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "considerable duress", clearly specify the source or cause of the duress to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "considerable duress" to describe minor inconveniences or mild pressure; reserve it for situations involving significant psychological, emotional, or physical stress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considerable duress" typically functions as a noun phrase, often used as an object of a preposition such as "under". It describes a state of significant pressure, stress, or coercion. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this expression is grammatically correct and can be used in both legal and psychological contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "considerable duress" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a state of significant pressure or coercion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability for formal contexts, particularly in legal and psychological discussions. While its usage is relatively rare, it effectively conveys the intensity of pressure influencing decisions or actions. Remember to use it when the pressure is notably high and impacts free will. Consider using alternative phrases like "significant pressure" or "extreme coercion" based on the specific context to add nuances to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under intense pressure

Emphasizes intensity of the pressure exerted.

significant pressure

Focuses on the pressure aspect, omitting the coercion element.

substantial coercion

A more formal synonym, emphasizing the degree of coercion.

heavy pressure

Similar to "significant pressure" but may imply more weight or burden.

extreme coercion

Emphasizes the coercion, potentially overlooking the stress involved.

under compulsion

Directly addresses the forced nature of the action but may sound more formal.

intense strain

Highlights the strain and stress, but not necessarily the external force causing it.

severe constraint

Highlights the restriction of freedom or action, implying difficulty.

undue influence

Focuses on the manipulative aspect, suggesting that someone's will is being overpowered.

forced circumstances

Highlights the situation being forced rather than the duress experienced.

FAQs

How can I use "considerable duress" in a sentence?

You can use "considerable duress" to describe a situation where someone is acting under significant pressure or coercion, for example: "The confession was obtained under "considerable duress", raising concerns about its validity."

What's a good alternative to "considerable duress"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "considerable duress" include "significant pressure", "extreme coercion", or "intense strain".

Is it appropriate to use "considerable duress" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "considerable duress" is more suited for formal writing. In informal contexts, phrases like "under a lot of pressure" or "heavily pressured" might be more appropriate.

What distinguishes "considerable duress" from simply being "under pressure"?

"Considerable duress" implies a higher degree of pressure and often suggests that someone's actions are being influenced or forced against their will, whereas "under pressure" can refer to a broader range of stressful situations.