dreadful situation

USAGE SUMMARY

"dreadful situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very unpleasant or worrying. For example: "The refugees faced a dreadful situation when they reached the border."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"It's a dreadful situation.

The Guardian - Sport

We are in a dreadful situation in many ways".

The Guardian

Tom Collins, a lifelong fan, said it was a "dreadful situation".

Independent

"It is a dreadful situation," said one Tehrani resident, who asked not to be identified.

The Guardian

Ms. Brewer, a Republican, recently lamented "the dreadful situation" the state now finds itself in with marijuana legal for some.

The New York Times

His work in Afghanistan helped to bring to attention the dreadful situation of people of that country under the Taliban".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"So all those things taken together is a vindication that we should always look for the depth, the understanding and knowledge around these dreadful awful situations but at the same time we should never back down in the face of authority".

The Guardian

"We are currently working with families in similar, dreadful situations," it states.

The Guardian

People often ask me how I keep calm in such dreadful situations, how I keep thoughts of my own child and her safety from clouding my mind.

The New York Times

By centring his stories on the young men of the day – often men not much older than the 21st century readers – he makes it possible for contemporary children to understand better what happened and to understand how it was that teenagers like themselves could handle such dreadful situations.

The Guardian

Past errors-either of omission, or using bad boilerplate language-have produced dreadful situations in which a second spouse was responsible for the estate-tax bill on a large IRA, while the IRA itself went to the children.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "dreadful situation", provide specific details to illustrate the extent of the problem. This will add weight and clarity to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "dreadful situation" to describe minor inconveniences. Reserve it for truly serious or dire circumstances to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dreadful situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "dreadful" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "situation". According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples show it describing various negative circumstances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dreadful situation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys a significantly negative or worrying state of affairs, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to highlight the severity of various circumstances. When employing this phrase, provide specific details to enhance the impact and avoid overuse in trivial scenarios. Consider alternatives like "terrible predicament" or "awful circumstances" to tailor the tone to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible predicament

This alternative emphasizes the challenging and difficult nature of the situation.

awful circumstances

Focuses on the surrounding conditions that make the situation unpleasant.

dire straits

Implies a situation of extreme urgency and difficulty.

grim reality

Highlights the harsh and unpleasant truth of the situation.

unfortunate state of affairs

Downplays the severity slightly, focusing on the negative outcome.

critical juncture

Emphasizes the decisiveness and potential danger of the moment.

difficult circumstances

A more general term indicating trouble or hardship.

grave crisis

This emphasizes the seriousness and potential for widespread negative impact.

precarious position

Suggests instability and risk of further decline.

untenable conditions

Highlights the inability to maintain or endure the current situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "dreadful situation" to describe a seriously unpleasant or worrying set of circumstances. For example: "The economic recession created a "dreadful situation" for many families."

What can I say instead of "dreadful situation"?

Alternatives to "dreadful situation" include "terrible predicament", "awful circumstances", or "dire straits", depending on the specific context and the level of intensity you want to convey.

What is the difference between "dreadful situation" and "difficult situation"?

"Dreadful situation" implies a higher degree of severity and negativity compared to a "difficult situation". "Dreadful" suggests something extremely unpleasant or alarming, while "difficult" simply indicates challenge.

Is "dreadful situation" formal or informal?

"Dreadful situation" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is generally more common in neutral or news-related writing. More formal alternatives might include "grave crisis" or "precarious position".