difficult financial straits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult financial straits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or precarious financial situation that an individual or organization is facing. Example: "After the unexpected market crash, the company found itself in difficult financial straits and had to make significant cuts to its workforce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And with many governments in increasingly difficult financial straits, investors' reliance on stale ratings grows increasingly perilous.

The New York Times

That and complications in the expansion of its stadium brought the club into the difficult financial straits that required a bailout from the competition.

The New York Times - Sports

The Museum of Contemporary Art has run into increasingly difficult financial straits in recent years as its fund-raising has failed to keep up with its spending.

The New York Times

He is believed to have told the court that Staples shares, which at the time were trading for a little over $2, were "overvalued" and suggested that the company was in difficult financial straits.

Independent

The renewed uncertainty in Europe continued to weigh on stocks and the euro, while Spanish and Italian bond yields rose sharply again amid fears that fallout from the crisis would spread to other euro countries in difficult financial straits.

The New York Times

His plan assumes that the state, which is in more difficult financial straits, will help close the gap with $200 million in education aid, $200 million in savings from pension overhauls and $200 million in revenue-sharing funds.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Tom might acknowledge that his request is difficult to grant given the financial straits his company is in.

Harvard Business Review

Sturman said it had been a "hellishly difficult year" for Ronnie, who was left in financial straits following the economic crash.

The Guardian - Business

The end of the Soviet germ warfare program alone left tens of thousands of former employees in desperate financial straits, and tracking their whereabouts is difficult, intelligence officials say.

The New York Times

Unless something completely disastrous happens, it will be difficult for the NBA to claim the league is in financial straits, especially not after the ESPN/Turner deal kicks in.

The Guardian - Sport

"With the financial straits the city is in, it's going to be difficult to bring in additional people," the mayor said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a company's financial performance, use "difficult financial straits" to convey a serious but not necessarily catastrophic situation. This suggests challenges that require attention and strategic solutions, rather than implying imminent failure.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult financial straits" when describing minor or temporary financial setbacks. Reserve this phrase for situations where the financial challenges are significant, prolonged, and pose a genuine threat to stability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult financial straits" functions as a noun phrase often used as an object of a preposition or as a subject complement. It describes the condition of facing significant monetary challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult financial straits" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a challenging financial situation, as confirmed by Ludwig. While not exceedingly common, it appears in diverse contexts, primarily in news, business, and scientific reporting. When using this phrase, ensure the described situation warrants the seriousness it conveys. Alternatives include "precarious financial situation" or "financial hardship". According to the source analysis, the phrase often occurs in authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist, reflecting its credibility and widespread understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in financial distress

Highlights the stress and worry caused by financial difficulties.

financial hardship

Focuses on the suffering and challenges caused by a lack of money.

dire economic circumstances

Highlights the severity and urgency of the financial problems.

precarious financial situation

Emphasizes the instability and uncertainty of the financial condition.

facing financial adversity

Emphasizes the challenging and unfavorable nature of the financial situation.

economic difficulties

A more general term referring to financial problems.

strained financial resources

Indicates that available funds are being stretched to their limit.

tight financial circumstances

Suggests a limited budget and difficulty in managing money.

challenging economic times

Implies a broader context of widespread financial difficulties.

financial woes

A slightly informal term indicating troubles and worries about money.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult financial straits" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult financial straits" to describe a situation where an individual, company, or organization is facing significant financial challenges. For example: "Due to the pandemic, many small businesses found themselves in "difficult financial straits".".

What are some alternatives to "difficult financial straits"?

Alternatives include "precarious financial situation", "financial hardship", or "economic difficulties". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "difficult financial straits" in formal writing?

Yes, "difficult financial straits" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a neutral and professional way to describe serious financial challenges without being overly dramatic. However, be sure that the gravity of the situation warrants such a description.

What's the difference between "difficult financial straits" and "financial problems"?

"Financial problems" is a general term that can refer to any kind of monetary issue. "Difficult financial straits" implies a more serious and challenging situation, suggesting a prolonged period of financial instability or hardship.