face the predicament

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "face the predicament" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a challenging or difficult situation that someone must confront or deal with. Example: "After losing his job, he had to face the predicament of finding a new source of income."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Whether the comparison was Sontag's or the senator's, the assertion that the family of a 19-year-old in a serious car accident would not face the predicament of forgoing treatment or being crushed by debt is, unfortunately, dead wrong.

The New York Times - Magazine

More Questions With contraction looming but under some question now because of a Minnesota court ruling Friday, some teams face the predicament of proceeding as usual with off-season plans or holding off pending developments.

The New York Times - Sports

I would rather set it aside then face the predicament described in our song Losing It ('Sadder still to watch it die, than never to have known it')." The response from Rush fans on social media was an outpouring of despair, mixed with a degree of uber-fan one-upmanship: "I saw them back in '78 at Newcastle City Hall".

The Guardian - Music

Only then do we face the predicament of having to perform a deeply private act in the presence of others.

Huffington Post

Water authorities often face the predicament of dealing with decreasing raw water quality, the high costs of new technologies, water filtration systems that do not completely remove all potentially pathogenic organisms, and increased public demand for safe water.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

However, a lack of evidence-based data regarding the safety of the drug often forces health-care providers to face the predicament of estimating the reproductive risks [ 26] The current recommendations of the Centre for Disease Control in the United States list azithromycin as a drug of choice for the non-pregnant population, but as an alternative therapy for the pregnant patient [ 27].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Avast Photo Space Many of us have faced the predicament of running out of room on our phones and have been forced to choose pictures to delete.

The New York Times - Travel

Jeffrey Masson, a well-known Freud scholar as well as a cat fancier, faced the predicament a few years ago when he moved to New Zealand.

The New York Times - Magazine

In his new book, "Between Debt and the Devil: Money, Credit, and Fixing Global Finance Princetonon), Lord Turner argues that countries facing the predicament of onerous debts, low interest rates, and slow growth should consider a radical but alluringly simple option: create more money and hand it out to people.

The New Yorker

The court faces the predicament of either doubling down on the myth that legal decision-making is "objective" — like Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.'s metaphor of an umpire calling balls and strikes — or admitting that legal decision-making requires choosing among conflicting perspectives in which different values are promoted.

The New York Times

Blackberry faced the predicament of many established firms who see the world around them changing, undermining their position of strength.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "face the predicament" to describe situations where individuals or groups must actively address a complex and challenging set of circumstances with potentially negative outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "face the predicament" for minor inconveniences or everyday problems. The term implies a serious and complex situation requiring significant effort to resolve.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face the predicament" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of confronting or dealing with a difficult or challenging situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "face the predicament" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe confronting a challenging or complex situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, with examples appearing in diverse sources such as news media and scientific publications. While not overly common, its presence in authoritative sources indicates its appropriateness for formal and professional contexts. Alternatives such as "confront the dilemma" or "grapple with the situation" offer similar meanings, but "face the predicament" specifically emphasizes the act of dealing with a problematic circumstance head-on.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confront the dilemma

Emphasizes a situation involving a difficult choice between alternatives.

grapple with the situation

Highlights the struggle and effort required to deal with a complex scenario.

deal with the challenge

Focuses on the need to address and overcome a significant obstacle.

encounter the difficulty

Highlights unexpected experience of hardship or problem.

address the quandary

Focuses on solving a confusing or perplexing problem.

contend with the problem

Implies facing and struggling against an existing issue.

brave the hardship

Emphasizes courage and resilience in the face of suffering or difficulty.

undergo the trial

Highlights the experience of enduring a difficult or testing situation.

navigate the crisis

Focuses on skillfully guiding a situation through a period of instability or danger.

resolve the impasse

Implies breaking through a deadlock or stalemate in a difficult situation.

FAQs

How can I use "face the predicament" in a sentence?

Use "face the predicament" to describe a difficult or challenging situation that someone must confront. For instance: "After losing his job, he had to face the predicament of finding a new source of income."

What are some alternatives to "face the predicament"?

You can use alternatives like "confront the dilemma", "grapple with the situation", or "deal with the challenge" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "face the predicament" in formal writing?

Yes, "face the predicament" is suitable for formal writing, as it conveys a serious and complex situation in a professional manner. It is commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and business reports.

What is the difference between "face the predicament" and "endure the predicament"?

"Face the predicament" implies actively addressing a difficult situation, while "endure the predicament" suggests passively experiencing hardship. The choice depends on whether the subject is actively trying to resolve the problem or simply tolerating it.