extreme adversity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extreme adversity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations that involve severe difficulties or challenges that one must face. Example: "Despite facing extreme adversity throughout her life, she managed to achieve her dreams and inspire others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Humour in the face of extreme adversity - I like it.

The Guardian - Sport

Morrison has also had to deal with extreme adversity.

The Guardian - Arts

The findings have international significance for teachers working in similar contexts characterised by extreme adversity.

Teaching and Teacher Education

Furcifer labordi's extreme life history likewise seems born of extreme adversity and volatility.

The New York Times - Science

Her apparently endless capacity to raise her game in the face of extreme adversity is remarkable.

The Guardian - Sport

But communities put down hardy roots that often weather the most extreme adversity.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

45 The strongest evidence relates to the links between ADHD/ADHD-like behaviours and relatively rare extreme adversities, specifically extreme prematurity, very low birth weight, foetal alcohol syndrome and a pattern of behaviours associated with institutional deprivation in the early years.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

In his definitive book, Models of Madness, John Read, a clinical psychologist at Liverpool University, shows that in the 10 studies testing the matter, the more extreme the childhood adversity, the greater the risk of adult psychosis.

The Guardian - Opinion

I find Malcolm's ability for critical introspection -- even when one is facing extreme hostility and adversity from outside -- inspirational.

Huffington Post

But from this simple idea of there being two opposite and polarizing tendencies for survival in life come such starkly different and extreme responses to adversity.

Huffington Post

Certainly, he has taken that lesson to its extreme, turning his adversity-filled early childhood into a platform for various causes — and, increasingly, for himself.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's journey, use "extreme adversity" to emphasize their resilience and strength in overcoming significant obstacles.

Common error

Avoid using "extreme adversity" in overly dramatic or sentimental contexts where simpler language would be more effective. Overusing this phrase can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extreme adversity" functions as a noun phrase, where "extreme" modifies the noun "adversity". It is used to describe a state of significant difficulty or hardship, often emphasizing the severity of the challenges faced as Ludwig's AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

20%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extreme adversity" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe situations involving significant hardship and challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used in news, science, and academic contexts to highlight resilience in the face of overwhelming difficulties. While highly effective, it’s important to avoid overuse and consider alternative phrases like "severe hardship" or "overwhelming challenges" to maintain impact. Remember to employ this phrase thoughtfully to convey genuine empathy and admiration. The phrase commonly refers to situations that are well documented by authoritative sources like The Guardian, Forbes or The New York Times and its use follows a clear structure: adjective + noun.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe hardship

Focuses on the difficulty and privation experienced.

great affliction

Highlights the suffering and distress caused.

intense suffering

Emphasizes the depth and degree of pain.

dire straits

Indicates a situation of great difficulty or danger.

overwhelming challenges

Stresses the magnitude of the difficulties.

significant tribulation

Highlights trials and suffering.

considerable difficulty

Focuses on the degree of trouble faced.

substantial misfortune

Emphasizes bad luck or adverse events.

grave trials

Highlights serious and difficult experiences.

major setbacks

Focuses on obstacles that impede progress.

FAQs

How to use "extreme adversity" in a sentence?

You can use "extreme adversity" to describe situations where someone faces significant and overwhelming challenges. For instance: "Despite facing "extreme adversity", she never gave up on her dreams".

What can I say instead of "extreme adversity"?

You can use alternatives like "severe hardship", "great affliction", or "overwhelming challenges" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "extreme adversity" or "extremely adversity"?

"Extreme adversity" is correct. "Extremely" is an adverb and would not directly modify the noun "adversity". The adjective "extreme" is needed to describe the noun.

What's the difference between "adversity" and "extreme adversity"?

"Adversity" refers to general hardship or difficulty. "Extreme adversity" indicates a much more severe and overwhelming level of hardship.