dreadful circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dreadful circumstances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations that are extremely unpleasant or unfortunate. Example: "The community came together to support those affected by the dreadful circumstances following the natural disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Was the Cornwell story that of a brave young hero dying in utterly dreadful circumstances?

The Guardian

They are regarded as heroes in St Lucia and they died in dreadful circumstances far from home.

The Guardian

You can see the necessity of what they are doing and the dreadful circumstances under which they're doing it.

The Guardian

What is also becoming clear is that, given the right dreadful circumstances, it could be pernicious enough to kill.

The Guardian - Opinion

George Gissing died on December 28 1903, in dreadful circumstances in France, where he had gone in a vain attempt to recover his health.

The Guardian - Books

The MP added: "What the public have seen is a family in all of its truth and its honesty and its devotion to trying to get, in Phil's case, his brother back unharmed from these dreadful circumstances.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But when it comes to love stories, I generally like lots of suffering and near-impossible courtship under dreadful, constrained circumstances: "Anna Karenina, Jane Eyre, Daniel DerondaondAnna Karenina, Jane Eyre, Daniel Deronda

The New York Times

Lara finds her way to the remote country house of Marcus Caldwell, a British doctor and convert to Islam, who has lost both his wife Qatrina and his daughter Naseem in dreadful and mysterious circumstances.

The Guardian - Books

It does require seeing the world through the eyes of the wicked person, and thus finding those impulses and resentments and fears within ourselves that could - we painfully have to admit - drive us to commit dreadful acts under different circumstances.

The Guardian

The loss of a child is never less than devastating, but circumstances in China magnify this dreadful impact.

The New York Times

But the incidents that tormented him were the deaths of two friends, one of whom died in the most dreadful of circumstances, having lost three of his limbs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dreadful circumstances", ensure the context clearly reflects a situation of significant adversity or suffering. This phrase is best suited for scenarios where the negative impact is substantial.

Common error

Avoid using "dreadful circumstances" to describe situations that are merely inconvenient or mildly unpleasant. This phrase carries a strong connotation of severe negativity, and its misuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dreadful circumstances" functions as an adjective-noun combination describing a situation. "Dreadful" modifies "circumstances", indicating the extremely negative nature of the situation. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dreadful circumstances" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe extremely negative situations. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this phrase and its use in several contexts. While not overly common, it appears primarily in news and media, suggesting a neutral register. It's crucial to reserve this phrase for contexts where the severity genuinely warrants such strong language, avoiding overuse in milder situations. Alternatives such as "terrible conditions" or "awful situation" may be more appropriate for less severe scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible conditions

Focuses on the state of affairs being poor or unacceptable.

awful situation

Highlights the unpleasantness and undesirability of the circumstances.

dire straits

Implies a severe and urgent difficulty or danger.

unfortunate events

Emphasizes the role of bad luck or chance in the circumstances.

tragic situation

Highlights the sorrowful and grievous nature of the circumstances.

difficult times

Focuses on the hardship and challenges presented by the circumstances.

adverse conditions

Highlights the unfavorable and opposing nature of the circumstances.

challenging environment

Emphasizes the difficulty and demands of the surrounding conditions.

unfavorable circumstances

A more formal way of describing conditions that are not beneficial.

calamitous situation

Implies a disastrous and devastating event or series of events.

FAQs

How can I use "dreadful circumstances" in a sentence?

You can use "dreadful circumstances" to describe extremely unpleasant or unfortunate situations. For example, "The community came together to support those affected by the dreadful circumstances following the natural disaster."

What are some alternatives to "dreadful circumstances"?

Alternatives include "terrible conditions", "awful situation", or "dire straits", depending on the specific context and level of severity you want to convey.

Is "dreadful circumstances" formal or informal?

"Dreadful circumstances" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is most commonly found in news and media reporting. Its appropriateness depends on the severity of the situation being described.

When is it inappropriate to use "dreadful circumstances"?

It is inappropriate to use "dreadful circumstances" when describing minor inconveniences or slightly negative situations. The phrase implies a significant level of suffering or adversity, so reserve it for truly serious or tragic contexts.