exigent circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

"exigent circumstances" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Exigent circumstances are typically sudden and urgent situations that require immediate action or attention. For example, you might say, "Given the exigent circumstances, we must take immediate steps to ensure the safety of our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In this case, the police caused the exigent circumstances themselves.

The New York Times

In "exigent circumstances," they may open fire to protect themselves or partners.

The New York Times

The sheriff's office bans shooting at cars except in loosely defined "unusual or exigent circumstances".

The Guardian

There was considerable debate today over whether there were exigent circumstances in this case.

The New York Times

The state court suppressed the evidence, saying there had been no "exigent circumstances" that excused the failure to obtain a warrant.

The New York Times

The majority opinion by Justice Samuel Alito Jr. says that the "exigent circumstances" rule applies even though the police triggered the danger that evidence would be destroyed.

The New York Times

These restraints are lessened when addressing public health concerns, and are essentially set aside when exigent circumstances require immediate action to protect the public health.

The New York Times

As such, Dodd-Frank specifically provides that "in unusual or exigent circumstances," the Federal Reserve may provide such entities with a financial backstop, including borrowing privileges.

The New York Times

There are already exceptions for "exigent circumstances," emergencies like an imminent risk of death or a danger evidence will be destroyed.

The New York Times

In 2009, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly issued an order making clear that officers cannot demand to view photos or video footage without consent, barring "exigent circumstances".

The New York Times

Officers found to be unfit for duty because they were driving while intoxicated and caused someone serious physical injury would be fired "absent exigent circumstances," the policy said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "exigent circumstances", be sure to clearly articulate or define what specific conditions qualify as such within the given context. Lack of clarity can lead to misinterpretations or misuse.

Common error

Avoid using "exigent circumstances" as a blanket justification for actions that require careful consideration. It's meant for truly urgent situations, not as a shortcut to bypass protocols.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exigent circumstances" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in describing situations that justify immediate action, often acting as a reason or justification within a sentence. It commonly modifies verbs related to action or decision-making.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exigent circumstances" is a frequently used phrase referring to urgent situations that demand immediate action. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears most often in News & Media and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about the specific conditions constituting the urgency to avoid misinterpretations. Alternative phrases such as "urgent situation" or "emergency situation" may be suitable depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

circumstances requiring immediate action

A more descriptive alternative, explicitly stating the need for immediate response.

urgent situation

Focuses on the urgency of the situation, omitting the implication of needing an exception to a rule or law.

emergency situation

Highlights the unexpected and potentially dangerous nature of the event.

crisis situation

Points to an unstable or dangerous condition that requires immediate attention.

unforeseen emergency

Highlights both the unexpected and urgent nature of the event.

pressing need

Emphasizes the critical requirement or demand present in the circumstances.

time-sensitive situation

Highlights the importance of acting quickly due to the limited time available.

critical juncture

Indicates a decisive point where immediate action is necessary to influence the outcome.

demanding conditions

Highlights the difficult or challenging aspects of the situation, requiring swift responses.

dire straits

Emphasizes the severity and potential danger of the current conditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "exigent circumstances" to describe situations that justify immediate action, such as "The police entered the building due to "exigent circumstances"" or "In "exigent circumstances", standard procedures may be bypassed".

What is a simple definition of "exigent circumstances"?

"Exigent circumstances" refer to urgent situations that demand immediate action, often justifying exceptions to rules or procedures. They are also known as "urgent situations" or "emergency situations".

Are "exigent circumstances" only used in legal contexts?

While commonly used in legal and law enforcement contexts to justify actions like warrantless searches, "exigent circumstances" can also apply to other situations where immediate action is critical, such as medical emergencies or disaster response scenarios. It is similar to saying "pressing need".

What's the difference between "exigent circumstances" and "unusual circumstances"?

"Exigent circumstances" imply urgency and the need for immediate action, often overriding normal procedures. "Unusual circumstances" simply denote that something is uncommon or atypical, but not necessarily requiring immediate action. You could also use "time-sensitive situation".