crisis

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "crisis" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger. For example: "The world is facing an unprecedented economic crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The NHS is in crisis.

The Guardian

But simply canceling those deficit-reduction measures would risk a financial crisis that would make matters worse, the report said.

The New York Times

It's possible, in fact, that the crisis, instead of eroding the reputational advantages of the big banks, ended up bolstering them.

The Economist

"All in all, a reprise of last year's oil crisis seems unlikely".

The Economist

Related: Ebola crisis – the Guardian briefing The rapidly dropping number of cases will make it a considerable challenge to trial vaccines against Ebola.

The Guardian

How about a response rather than a crisis?

The Guardian

"Ahmedabad is the only city with an early warning system for heat in South Asia because they saw infants and babies die, and then put the dots together during a crisis," says Jaiswal. "Temperatures in Mumbai are already high, so we think an early warning system would benefit many, and save lives.

The Guardian

The Ebola crisis has brutally exposed the "age-old failures" of the humanitarian aid system with the World Health Organisation and governments repeating the mistakes of past public health emergencies, the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has said.

The Guardian

For Tasos Nyfadopoulos, the young sculptor behind the work, it is the first public tribute to the thousands of suicides the crisis has left in its wake.

The Guardian

Rafael Nadal's searing honesty has always sustained him in troubled times and, while the Spaniard is perhaps a couple of defeats short of a crisis, he admits this summer has not been one of his best.

The Guardian - Sport

The financial crisis and the great recession, indeed depression, undermined many of the assumptions of bourgeois triumphalism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crisis" when describing a situation that requires immediate and decisive action due to its potential negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating situations by labeling them as a "crisis" when they are merely setbacks or inconveniences. Using precise language helps maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The word "crisis" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a crucial or decisive point or situation. Ludwig examples show its use in describing unstable situations across political, social, and economic spheres, aligning with Ludwig AI’s confirmation of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "crisis" is a versatile noun used to describe a pivotal moment or unstable situation across various domains. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and suitable for written English. The analysis of examples from Ludwig showcases that "crisis" is very common in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. To avoid misuse, be mindful of the intensity the word conveys; reserve it for situations genuinely demanding urgent attention. Alternatives like "emergency situation" or "difficult situation" can be appropriate depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emergency situation

Focuses on the urgency and immediate need for action.

critical juncture

Highlights the decisiveness and turning-point aspect of a situation.

difficult situation

General term for a problematic scenario, less intense than "crisis".

precarious state

Emphasizes the instability and potential for collapse.

dire straits

Suggests severe hardship and distress.

turning point

Emphasizes the aspect of a decisive moment that could change the outcome.

time of need

Highlights the necessity for assistance or intervention.

urgent matter

Focuses on the immediacy and importance of addressing the issue.

challenging period

Refers to a span of time marked by significant difficulties.

moment of truth

Emphasizes a decisive test or revelation of character.

FAQs

How to use "crisis" in a sentence?

The word "crisis" is used to describe a situation of intense difficulty or danger. For example, "The country is facing an economic crisis." or "The healthcare system is in crisis."

What can I say instead of "crisis"?

You can use alternatives like "emergency situation", "critical juncture", or "difficult situation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "crisis" or "crises"?

"Crisis" is the singular form, referring to one event. "Crises" is the plural form, referring to multiple events. For example, "The country faced a crisis." vs. "The country faced multiple crises."

What's the difference between "crisis" and "dilemma"?

A "crisis" generally implies a turning point with potentially severe consequences, while a "dilemma" is a difficult choice between two or more options, not necessarily involving immediate danger.