desperate times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desperate times" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to situations that are extremely difficult or urgent, often requiring drastic measures or actions. Example: "In desperate times, people often resort to making tough decisions that they wouldn't normally consider."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Desperate times, desperate measures.

Independent

These are desperate times.

The New Yorker

They were desperate times".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Desperate times, it seems, demand desperate measures.

The Economist

"Those were desperate times for everyone.

The New York Times - Arts

But desperate times call for desperate measures.

The New York Times - Sports

Desperate times call for bold measures.

The New York Times

DESPERATE times call for desperate measures.

Forbes

But desperate times call for creative measures.

The Economist

Desperate times will make reform unavoidable.

The Economist

Desperate times breed desperate measures.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desperate times" to emphasize the severity of a situation and justify drastic or unusual measures. Ensure the context clearly demonstrates the urgency and exceptional nature of the circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "desperate times" for everyday inconveniences or minor problems. The phrase should be reserved for genuinely critical or urgent situations to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperate times" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or part of an adverbial phrase to describe a period characterized by extreme difficulty, hardship, or danger. As noted by Ludwig AI, it correctly portrays situations demanding immediate and drastic action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "desperate times" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe critical or urgent situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, its function is to convey urgency and justify extreme measures. While versatile across formal and informal registers, its use should be reserved for genuinely severe contexts. Related phrases include "times of crisis" and "urgent situations". Avoid overuse in trivial scenarios to preserve its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crisis situation

Underscores the emergency aspect.

dire straits

Emphasizes the severity and precariousness of the situation.

times of crisis

Highlights the element of a crisis or emergency.

urgent situations

Focuses on the immediate need for action.

troubled times

Refers to a period marked by problems and unrest.

critical period

Focuses on the severity and urgency of the situation.

precarious circumstances

Highlights the instability and uncertainty of the situation.

challenging period

Focuses on the difficulties and demands of the situation.

difficult circumstances

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the situation.

hard times

A more general phrase referring to a period of difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "desperate times" in a sentence?

You can use "desperate times" to describe situations requiring immediate and drastic action. For example, "desperate times call for desperate measures".

What are some alternatives to "desperate times"?

Alternatives include "times of crisis", "difficult circumstances", or "urgent situations", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in desperate time" instead of "desperate times"?

No, the correct phrase is "desperate times", which refers to a period or situation, not a singular moment. "In desperate time" is grammatically incorrect.

What does the idiom "desperate times call for desperate measures" mean?

It means that in extremely difficult situations, it's sometimes necessary to take actions that might seem risky or extreme, but are the only way to solve the problem. In such moments, "radical measures" could be required.