especially in difficult times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "especially in difficult times" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize the importance of something, especially when people are going through a challenging or difficult situation. For example, "We should always remain positive and supportive of each other, especially in difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

God guides His Church, maintains her always, and especially in difficult times.

The New York Times

In her eulogy for Mrs. Rabin, the first lady said the American people "will always stand by Israel, especially in difficult times like these".

The New York Times

Endowments exist to generate cash for current operations and, even more important, to ensure an institution's survival, especially in difficult times.

The New York Times

The Leibinger codex flows from the family's Lutheran faith, and what Peter Leibinger characterized as a "joyless" movement within it known as Pietism, which emphasized personal faith alongside compassion and discipline in daily life, especially in difficult times.

The New York Times

Perhaps rather than abandon the pews because of periodic disappointments in the human frailty of the church, we would do well to reflect upon the pope's parting words: "Dear friends, God guides his church, maintains her always, and especially in difficult times".

The New York Times

"These strong figures underline the importance of a secure trading climate to attract investment, especially in difficult times.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

This is particularly true in difficult times.

The Economist

The counsellors were described as being like good friends in difficult times, especially by those staying alone in rented accommodation.

BMC Public Health

We live in difficult times.

Vice

They help a lot in difficult times.

WikiHow

One was Advocate Emi Palmor, the Director-General of the Ministry of Justice for the State of Israel, who began her remarks by saying: "We should cherish this moment of being together -- Jews, Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem -- especially in these difficult times". I and all of the other people in the room were visibly moved by her poignant introductory comment.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "particularly during challenging periods" or "above all in trying circumstances" to add variety to your writing and tailor the tone to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "especially in difficult times" in situations where the difficulty is already obvious or implied. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or insincere. Instead, reserve it for situations where the difficulty adds significant weight to your point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "especially in difficult times" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective by specifying the circumstances under which an action or quality is particularly relevant. It highlights the context of adversity, as seen in Ludwig AI's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "especially in difficult times" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the heightened importance of something when challenges are present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly found in neutral to formal contexts, such as news articles, academic papers, and business communications. While highly useful, it's crucial to avoid overuse in simplistic contexts and consider alternatives like "particularly during challenging periods" for variety. Remember that its purpose is to highlight the significance of something during adversity, making your communication more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in challenging times particularly

Rearranges the phrase slightly to emphasize the "challenging times".

particularly during challenging periods

Replaces "especially" with "particularly" and "difficult times" with "challenging periods", slightly altering the tone.

especially when facing adversity

Focuses on the act of facing adversity.

above all in trying circumstances

Replaces "especially" with "above all" and "difficult times" with "trying circumstances", increasing formality.

notably in periods of adversity

Uses more formal language and highlights the concept of adversity.

mainly when things are tough

Uses simpler vocabulary, making it more informal.

most importantly when hardship strikes

Emphasizes the importance even more strongly, using "hardship strikes" for a more dramatic effect.

in times of crisis more than ever

Highlights that this is important over any other situation.

primarily during moments of struggle

More formal, highlighting that struggle is temporary.

principally when life gets hard

Uses simpler vocabulary to highlight the situation.

FAQs

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

Use "especially in difficult times" to emphasize the increased importance of something when challenges are present. For example, "Empathy is crucial, "especially in difficult times", as people need support and understanding more than ever."

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

You can use alternatives like "particularly during challenging periods", "above all in trying circumstances", or "mainly when things are tough" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify "difficult times" when emphasizing the importance of something?

No, specifying "difficult times" is not always necessary. Use it when the challenging context significantly amplifies the importance of the point you're making. Otherwise, a simpler statement might be more effective.

Which is more formal, "especially in difficult times" or "particularly during challenging periods"?

"Particularly during challenging periods" tends to be more formal due to the word choice. "Especially in difficult times" is more neutral and widely applicable.