dilemma

USAGE SUMMARY

'dilemma' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which a person has to choose between two equally undesirable options. For example: "The politician faced a difficult dilemma: either raise taxes or cut funding for important social programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you have a dilemma, send a brief email to [email protected].

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you would like fellow readers to respond to a dilemma of yours, send us an outline of the situation of about 150 words.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When leaving a message on this page, please be sensitive to the fact that you are responding to a real person in the grip of a real-life dilemma, who wrote to Private Lives asking for help, and may well view your comments here.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you would like fellow readers and Linda Blair to answer a dilemma of yours, send us an outline of the situation of around 250 words.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Making helmets compulsory eliminated the dilemma: the players could protect their heads without suffering a competitive disadvantage.

The Economist

What Two Days, One Night does so beautifully is distil the economic dilemma of our age down to a human scale.

The Guardian - Film

Luxury tourist travel in a country with widespread problems with poverty and malnutrition can sit uncomfortably with some, but Griffin points out that this would be a difficult dilemma to address had he been a tourist in any developing country.

The Guardian

"Now you have the dilemma of how to combine three factors: the state, developers and society.

The Guardian

European leaders will meet on Thursday in Brussels at an emergency summit to wrestle with the dilemma of what to do about Vladimir Putin.

The Guardian

In fact, Frank's story addresses exactly this dilemma: between artistic integrity (and obscurity) and commercial success.

The Guardian - Film

And of course, the eternal dilemma, ketchup or HP.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the ethical implications when describing a "dilemma", as many involve moral or value-based conflicts.

Common error

Avoid using "dilemma" to describe simple inconveniences. A true "dilemma" involves significant consequences and difficult trade-offs.

Linguistic Context

The word "dilemma" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a situation involving a difficult choice between equally undesirable alternatives. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

25%

Film

10%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Books

5%

Money

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "dilemma" is a very common noun used to describe situations involving difficult choices between undesirable options. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, lifestyle, and film. While its register is generally neutral, it can lean towards formal depending on the setting. When facing a "dilemma", it's important to clearly articulate the conflicting options to effectively convey the complexity of the situation. Related terms like "quandary" and "predicament" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. The most common error is oversimplifying complex choices. In summary, "dilemma" is a powerful word when you want to describe a situation with no easy way out.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quandary

Focuses on the state of uncertainty or perplexity.

predicament

Emphasizes a difficult, unpleasant, or dangerous situation.

problem

A more general term for a situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with.

difficult situation

Highlights the challenging nature of the circumstances.

challenging issue

Emphasizes the complexity and importance of the problem.

tough choice

Focuses on the difficulty of making a decision.

difficult decision

Highlights the complex nature when deciding between different options.

Catch-22

A paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules.

moral conflict

Focuses on a clash between values or principles.

ethical problem

Emphasizes the moral or ethical dimensions of the issue.

FAQs

How to use "dilemma" in a sentence?

Use "dilemma" to describe a situation where a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, such as: "The company faced a "dilemma" regarding its environmental impact."

What can I say instead of "dilemma"?

You can use alternatives like "quandary", "predicament", or "problem" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "dilemma" or "problem"?

"Dilemma" specifically refers to a situation with two or more difficult choices, while "problem" is a more general term for any unwelcome situation.

What's the difference between "dilemma" and "moral conflict"?

A "dilemma" is a situation with difficult choices, while "moral conflict" specifically highlights a clash between ethical values or principles.