dilemmas

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'dilemmas' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a difficult choice between two courses of action, or two possible outcomes. Example sentence: I am facing a difficult dilemma as I try to decide between pursuing a career in engineering or journalism.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The novel explores the dilemmas facing locals consorting with migrants.

The Guardian - Books

It may be that the police service does not communicate with the public it serves enough to explain the dilemmas that have to be faced by a modern police force before problems emerge, but the danger in the present atmosphere is that the service may become defensive and isolated.

The Guardian

"It's a fairly common desire!" Homes discusses her writing process – "I think in imagery, I don't think in words at all" – and notes that she centres her work on such morally ambiguous questions because "moral dilemmas interest me a lot, but right and wrong is not something I can answer".

The Guardian - Books

Over the past two-and-a-half years, the wide range of dilemmas you have sent to Private Lives, and the clarity with which you have articulated them, have taught me a great deal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But if there is no moral response to death, then how much harder it becomes to excite people with the more complex dilemmas that Hare himself cares about, such as the unseen corrosion of a debased political culture.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a bleak but devastatingly funny account – including a painfully appropriate jibe at the leader line of this newspaper – of the dilemmas faced by Labour councillors running a northern town that has to make £22m of cuts.

The Guardian - Opinion

You could take all the books on the Baileys prize shortlist on holiday this year and have your summer reading dilemmas solved at a stroke.

The Guardian - Books

Try to listen, truly listen, without harsh criticism and with the aim of understanding their dilemmas.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's true, of course, that others will know more about the treatments or techniques you might choose to help you sort out your dilemmas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He looks what he is – ascetic, intellectual and preoccupied with life's moral dilemmas Not with Miller himself.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He also wields influence through a more formal channel: the Dublin-based European Council for Fatwa and Research, of which he is president.This council comprises 32 leading scholars, from Europe and the Middle East, whose self-appointed task is to ponder the dilemmas moral, personal and political faced by European Muslims.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a difficult situation, use 'dilemmas' to emphasize the need for careful thought, not just immediate action.

Common error

Avoid using "dilemmas" as a simple substitute for "problems" or "difficulties". A dilemma specifically involves a situation with two or more conflicting choices, each with its own negative consequences. If there's no element of choice between undesirable outcomes, a different term may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dilemmas" is as a plural noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to multiple instances of difficult situations requiring a choice between undesirable options. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "dilemmas" functions as a plural noun, commonly used to describe situations involving a difficult choice between undesirable options. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of "dilemmas" in written English. Its frequency is considered "very common", and it appears most often in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science" contexts. Related phrases include "predicaments" and "quandaries", offering slight variations in formality and emphasis. To use "dilemmas" effectively, ensure you're referring to a situation with genuine conflicting choices and avoid using it as a simple substitute for general problems. Keep this in mind to navigate the "dilemmas" of effective communication!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Predicaments

A more formal and often serious alternative, implying a difficult, unpleasant, or dangerous situation.

Quandaries

Highlights the perplexity and uncertainty involved in a difficult situation or problem.

Problems

A broader term that encompasses any difficulty or challenge, not necessarily involving a choice.

Plights

Emphasizes the unfortunate or dangerous condition, often evoking sympathy or concern.

Difficulties

A general term for challenges or obstacles, less intense than "dilemmas".

Challenges

Focuses on the stimulating and demanding nature of a situation that tests one's abilities.

Crises

Refers to a critical moment or situation with a high degree of risk and instability.

Predicaments

Similar to "predicaments" and can also imply a difficult, unpleasant or dangerous situation.

Knots

Implies a tangled and complicated issue that is difficult to resolve.

Catch-22s

Refers to a paradoxical situation where someone is trapped by contradictory rules.

FAQs

How can I use "dilemmas" in a sentence?

You can use "dilemmas" to describe situations where someone faces a difficult choice between two or more options. For example, "The company faced numerous ethical dilemmas during the crisis."

What are some alternatives to using "dilemmas"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "predicaments", "quandaries", or "problems".

Is it correct to say "moral dilemmas"?

Yes, "moral dilemmas" is a perfectly acceptable and common phrase. It refers to situations where a person faces a difficult choice between conflicting moral principles.

What is the difference between "dilemmas" and "challenges"?

"Dilemmas" involve difficult choices between undesirable options, while "challenges" are broader difficulties or obstacles that need to be overcome. Dilemmas specifically involve conflicting choices, while challenges may not.