formidable situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formidable situation" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means a difficult or challenging circumstance or condition. Example: The team faced a formidable situation when their star player got injured right before the championship game.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

HU was randomized against a combination that was highly suppressive, and this could be viewed as a formidable situation in which to verify increased efficacy.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As I discuss in a recent paper, efforts to combat this situation face formidable political barriers.

University of California, Berkeley

More formidable still was the situation that arose in the lands to the east of Anatolia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Whatever the case, it is clear that the state of affairs in the Isles was chaotic and, because of Óláfr's inability to control of the situation, the formidable Hákon decided to pacify the region using Óspakr.

Wikipedia

When it came to drones there were four formidable unanimous voices in the Situation Room: the CIA, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Pentagon, and the White House's counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan.

Huffington Post

They presented a formidable united front in the Situation Room; the power axis may now shift a bit, because of the chemistry between Trump and Pompeo.

The Washington Post

It is an exceptional situation which presents formidable challenges to political parties that it would be irresponsible of them to duck, simply in order to secure a quieter life.

The Guardian

This situation presents a formidable challenge for early diagnosis, optimal affordable treatment, and prevention and control.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The Black Knights, like the Midshipmen, are formidable on third-down offensive situations, converting 45percentt of their opportunities.

The Washington Post

What would seem inarguable is that Petraeus's formidable education in precisely those situations that most closely paralleled the one in Iraq contributed to his capacity to cope and better than anyone else.

Forbes

But he proved again last night that he is a formidable performer in these kind of situation.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formidable situation" to describe a scenario that presents significant challenges or obstacles, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and strategic action.

Common error

Avoid using "formidable situation" for minor inconveniences or easily resolved problems. Reserve it for truly challenging or critical circumstances to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formidable situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "formidable" modifies "situation". It's an adjective-noun combination used to describe a particular set of circumstances or a condition that presents considerable challenges. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formidable situation" correctly describes a challenging or difficult set of circumstances. Ludwig confirms its grammatical validity and provides examples across different domains, including science, academia, and news. While its frequency is relatively rare, its usage is appropriate in formal and neutral contexts to emphasize the severity or complexity of a scenario. Alternatives include "daunting challenge" or "challenging circumstances". Remember to reserve it for truly significant challenges to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging circumstances

Replaces "formidable" with "challenging" and "situation" with "circumstances" maintaining a similar level of formality.

daunting challenge

Replaces "situation" with "challenge" emphasizing the difficulty faced.

difficult position

Uses simpler language to convey the same meaning of a problematic scenario.

tough predicament

Substitutes "formidable" with "tough" and "situation" with "predicament" for a more colloquial tone.

unenviable situation

Highlights the undesirable nature of the situation.

critical juncture

Emphasizes the importance and potential risk of the situation.

precarious state

Focuses on the instability and potential danger of the situation.

complex scenario

Highlights the multifaceted nature of the situation.

serious dilemma

Indicates a situation involving a difficult choice between alternatives.

thorny issue

Implies the situation is complex and difficult to resolve.

FAQs

How can I use "formidable situation" in a sentence?

Use "formidable situation" to describe a scenario presenting significant challenges. For example: "The company faced a "formidable situation" due to the sudden economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "formidable situation"?

You can use alternatives like "daunting challenge", "challenging circumstances", or "difficult position" depending on the context.

Is "formidable situation" formal or informal?

"Formidable situation" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, but avoid using it in overly casual settings. More informal options would be alternatives such as "tough spot" or "tight corner".

What makes a situation "formidable"?

A "formidable situation" is characterized by significant obstacles, requiring considerable effort, skill, or resources to overcome. It implies a serious or potentially overwhelming challenge.