especially during difficult times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'especially during difficult times' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the importance of something being done, even when faced with hardship or challenge. For example: "Our commitment to success is unwavering, especially during difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Scruff always brought solace and joy, especially during difficult times.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fiona Thomson Scruff always brought solace and joy, especially during difficult times.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Maybe producers as well as audiences need to be reminded that attending the theater is an inimitably life-affirming experience, especially during difficult times.

The New York Times

"The church has certainly done a lot in order to keep the nation alive and to bring this nation together, especially during difficult times," said Wojciech Eichelberger, a leading psychologist and author in Warsaw.

The New York Times

Even if a company is now large, if they struggled to survive in the early days (Apple, Southwest Airlines, Oprah Winfrey) they have an appeal because underdog stories about overcoming great odds through passion and grit resonate, and especially during difficult times.

Forbes

God has been good to America, especially during difficult times.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Games can be particularly useful during difficult times.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

thanked members and supporters for their support, especially over the last two seasons during difficult times.

BBC

Its economy has thrived during difficult times.

The New York Times

Celebrate success and support people during difficult times.

The Guardian

"Food security takes on a heightened importance during difficult times".

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "especially during difficult times", ensure it logically connects to the main point. For example, "Maintaining team morale is crucial, especially during difficult times."

Common error

Avoid using "especially during difficult times" as a generic phrase without specific relevance to the surrounding context. Ensure it adds meaningful emphasis, not just filler.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "especially during difficult times" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when something is particularly relevant or important. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting examples where it emphasizes actions or qualities needed in challenging situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

29%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "especially during difficult times" is a prepositional phrase used to emphasize the increased importance or relevance of something when facing adversity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not extremely common, the phrase appears across various contexts including news, wiki, and business, suggesting a neutral register.

When writing, ensure the phrase is used to add meaningful emphasis rather than as a filler. Consider related phrases like "particularly in trying times" or "notably during hard times" for alternative phrasing. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "especially during difficult times" into your writing to underscore critical actions or qualities during challenging periods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particularly in trying times

Replaces "especially during difficult times" by focusing on periods of hardship.

notably during hard times

Uses "notably" to highlight importance during "hard times."

especially when things are tough

Employs a more informal tone using "things are tough".

particularly throughout periods of adversity

Replaces "difficult times" with the more formal "periods of adversity".

most importantly in challenging moments

Highlights "challenging moments" as a key time.

significantly during stressful periods

Focuses on periods characterized by stress.

particularly when facing adversity

Emphasizes the act of "facing adversity".

especially under pressure

Highlights situations involving duress or strain.

particularly in crisis situations

Focuses on scenarios of crisis.

notably when circumstances are challenging

More formal, using "circumstances are challenging".

FAQs

How can I use "especially during difficult times" in a sentence?

Use "especially during difficult times" to emphasize the importance of an action or quality when challenges are present. For example, "Patience is vital, "especially during difficult times"".

What are some alternatives to "especially during difficult times"?

You can use alternatives such as "particularly in trying times", "notably during hard times", or "especially when things are tough" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "especially during hard times" or "especially during difficult times"?

Both "especially during hard times" and ""especially during difficult times"" are acceptable. The choice depends on the desired tone. "Hard times" is slightly more informal.

What makes "especially during difficult times" effective in writing?

The phrase highlights the increased importance of something when facing challenges, adding emphasis and conveying understanding of the circumstances. It's effective when used to underscore the need for resilience, support, or specific actions under pressure.