difficult dilemmas

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult dilemmas" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenging choices or problems that require careful consideration and decision-making. Example: "The committee faced several difficult dilemmas when deciding on the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Sometimes I've had to wrestle with some genuinely difficult dilemmas – not just Tory party dogma.

The Guardian

But let us also remember there will be particularly difficult dilemmas ahead for our party.

The Guardian

The ruling sets up difficult dilemmas for countries looking to uphold the ruling.

The Guardian - Opinion

One of the more difficult dilemmas in an age of coalition politics is how you write a manifesto.

The Guardian - Opinion

Future businesses will use filtered, or expert, crowds to monitor their reputation, get feedback on sustainable innovations and ask for help in solving difficult dilemmas.

The Guardian

Your lack of sensitivity to the incredibly difficult dilemmas facing Israel as Iran gets closer to its nuclear goal is shocking.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"We faced a difficult dilemma.

The New York Times

It's a really difficult dilemma.

Independent

"This is a very difficult dilemma".

The New York Times - Health

The Chinese government faces a difficult dilemma.

The New York Times

"It was a very difficult dilemma".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose "difficult dilemmas" when you want to convey a sense of both complexity and importance. The word 'dilemma' highlights the tension between choices, while 'difficult' underscores the seriousness of the situation.

Common error

While "difficult dilemmas" is appropriate in many contexts, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using alternatives like "complex issues" or "tough choices" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult dilemmas" functions as a noun phrase, where 'difficult' modifies the noun 'dilemmas'. It commonly acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing challenging situations requiring decisions. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult dilemmas" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe challenging situations requiring careful decisions. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It's versatile, appearing frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, although it's less common in informal settings. When using this phrase, ensure the difficulty and the nature of the choices are clear. Consider alternatives like "complex issues" or "tough choices" to avoid overuse. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to convey both the complexity and significance of the problem at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging predicaments

Replaces "dilemmas" with "predicaments", implying a more entrapped or problematic situation.

tough choices

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the difficulty of making a decision.

hard decisions

Similar to 'tough choices' but emphasizes the effort required to make the decision.

thorny problems

Uses a metaphor to describe the problems as being prickly and hard to handle.

complex issues

Shifts the focus to the intricacy and multifaceted nature of the problems.

vexing questions

Focuses on the troubling and irritating nature of the questions that need answering.

ethical quandaries

Specifies that the dilemmas involve ethical considerations and moral questions.

moral ambiguities

Highlights the lack of clear moral guidance in the situation.

critical junctures

Emphasizes the importance and decisiveness of the moment when these dilemmas arise.

troubling paradoxes

Highlights the contradictory and unsettling nature of the situations.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "difficult dilemmas" in a sentence?

To effectively use "difficult dilemmas", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates the nature of the challenges and the conflicting choices involved. For example, "The committee faced "difficult dilemmas" when allocating resources to various departments."

What are some alternatives to "difficult dilemmas"?

You can use alternatives like "challenging predicaments", "complex issues", or "ethical quandaries", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "difficult dilemmas" too formal for everyday conversation?

While "difficult dilemmas" isn't overly formal, it's more suited for professional or academic contexts. In casual conversation, simpler phrases like "tough choices" or "hard decisions" might be more appropriate.

What makes a dilemma "difficult"?

A dilemma is considered "difficult" when it involves conflicting values, uncertain outcomes, or significant consequences, making it challenging to arrive at a satisfactory resolution. The "moral ambiguities" of such situations contribute to their complexity.