dismal era

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dismal era" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of time characterized by gloom, despair, or a lack of hope. Example: "The country faced a dismal era marked by economic decline and social unrest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"My miserabilist outlook was forged in the lukewarm foundry of the Bill Arnsparger-John McVay years," Kamp added in an interview, recalling the dismal era from 1974 to '78 when the Giants' record was 21-51.

The New York Times - Sports

The most successful road movies of that dismal era in pop culture were the "Smokey and the Bandit" pictures: late 70's-early 80's extravaganzas of good-old boy automotive slapstick, featuring Burt Reynolds as a smirking Southern speed demon.

The New York Times

On Friday, the government moved to seize and temporarily shutter one of the truly heroic banking institutions of this dismal era for American finance -- ShoreBank of Chicago.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The island's history — Spanish exploitation, then American exploitation, then the dismal Castro era — is tragic, but Cuban musicians and artists still rule, attesting to an unquenchable creative impulse that has thrived amid all forms of chaos".

The New Yorker

The difference between the Scotland team that crumbled to defeat in Cardiff to mark the end of the dismal George Burley era and the one that troubled Spain for spells on Tuesday night is obvious.

The Guardian - Sport

One of the core challenges of marketing during that dismal financial era was how to present key brand information effectively and efficiently, just as it is today.

Huffington Post

We're in a new golden age for drama, but comedy remains stuck in a dismal post-'Seinfeld' era where sex has been an easy target for humor.

The New York Times - Arts

The 33-year-old Latics manager, appointed in April after the dismal Malky Mackay era came to an end, has to deliver and he certainly has some useful tools at his disposal.

The Guardian - Sport

She had won Hitchin with Labour's victory in 1964 – and lost her seat at the dismal end of Labour's era in 1979.

The Guardian - Books

In other words, an era as dismal as any other has, bizarrely, become a sort of jovial granddad.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But, unless he is prepared to see the country go bust and slide back towards the dismal standards of the era of Enver Hoxha, his Stalinist predecessor, Mr Berisha has no choice.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a historical period or event, use the phrase "dismal era" to convey a sense of hardship, decline, or unhappiness. It's effective for adding emotional depth to factual accounts.

Common error

Avoid using "dismal era" when describing a time that had positive attributes or outcomes. The term carries a strong negative connotation and is unsuitable for anything with optimistic elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dismal era" functions as a noun phrase, where "dismal" modifies the noun "era". The adjective dismal ascribes a negative quality to the period, characterizing it as bleak or depressing. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dismal era" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase employed to describe a period characterized by negativity, decline, or hardship. Ludwig confirms its appropriate use. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase effectively conveys a sense of gloom and is best suited for describing historical or cultural periods marked by adverse conditions. While versatile, it is crucial to avoid its use in positive contexts. The availability of alternative phrases, such as ""bleak period"" and ""gloomy epoch"", allows for nuanced expression depending on the specific tone and formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bleak period

Replaces "dismal" with "bleak", focusing on the cheerless aspect of the time.

gloomy epoch

Substitutes "dismal" with "gloomy" and "era" with "epoch", emphasizing the somber atmosphere.

dark age

Uses a more metaphorical expression to denote a time of decline and hardship.

difficult times

Simplifies the phrase to highlight the troubles experienced during the period.

unhappy chapter

Replaces "era" with "chapter", framing the period as a part of a larger narrative with negative connotations.

grim phase

Emphasizes the severity and unpleasantness of the period using "grim".

era of hardship

Directly states the presence of difficulties and suffering during that time.

period of decline

Focuses on the decaying or deteriorating aspect of the era.

troubled years

Highlights the problematic and unsettling nature of the years in question.

unfortunate age

Uses "unfortunate" to convey the regrettable and unfavorable conditions of the time.

FAQs

How can I use "dismal era" in a sentence?

You can use "dismal era" to describe a period marked by negative events, such as "The country faced a "dismal era" of economic recession and political instability".

What are some alternatives to "dismal era"?

Alternatives include "bleak period", "gloomy epoch", or "dark age" depending on the specific context.

Is "dismal era" too strong of a phrase to use in formal writing?

While "dismal era" is acceptable, consider the tone of your writing. For formal contexts, alternatives like "period of decline" may be more appropriate.

What distinguishes "dismal era" from "difficult times"?

"Dismal era" suggests a more prolonged and pervasive sense of gloom and hardship compared to "difficult times", which can refer to shorter or less intense periods of trouble.