fraught period

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fraught period" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a time characterized by distress, anxiety, or difficulty. Example: "The country experienced a fraught period during the economic crisis, with many citizens struggling to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The common lament of this fraught period is that precious little seems to be beyond politics.

The New Yorker

Brexit, as Tusk rightly warns, could be the last straw after such a fraught period.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has been a fraught period, in which they have battled to stay afloat by offloading players.

The Guardian - Sport

This past year has proved to be a particularly fraught period for Asian-American representation in movies.

The New York Times

But in 2004, during an especially fraught period in the diplomatic relationship between Myanmar and the United States, the statue was deemed unsuitable for public display.

The New York Times

These are set in that fraught period of European history starting in 1933, with Hitler's rise to power, and ending in 1945.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

The long-running US-Iran Project, which has brought together policy makers from both countries to explore fraught periods in the relationship, has produced a second book, U.S.-Iran Misperceptions: A Dialogue, published in February by Bloomsbury Press.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The piece, their largest, was developed during one of the strangest and most fraught periods of their lives: the six months they spent in Katmandu, Nepal, trying to adopt their infant daughter, Aradhana, now a precocious 5-year-old.

The New York Times - Magazine

Their return rounded off one of the most fraught periods in the project's history as Sean O'Keefe, Nasa's chief, arrived in Moscow to resolve a funding row with Russia that threatens the station's future.

The Guardian

Apart from the fraught periods of rehearsals, life was spent quietly at home in the fishing village of Greencastle, County Donegal, where Friel kept bees (an ambition Chekhov harboured but never realised).

The Guardian

The email exchange occurred during one of the most fraught periods in the history of the prison.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical events or personal experiences, use "fraught period" to convey a sense of difficulty, anxiety, and tension during that time.

Common error

While "fraught period" is a perfectly acceptable phrase, avoid overusing it in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "tough time" or "difficult situation" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fraught period" functions as a noun phrase, where "fraught" modifies the noun "period". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and frequently used, typically describing a specific duration marked by tension or difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fraught period" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a time filled with tension, anxiety, or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news, academic writing, and scientific contexts. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of unease and trouble. While versatile, it's best suited for formal or semi-formal writing, with simpler alternatives available for casual conversation. Remember to use "fraught period" when you need to emphasize the stress and difficulty associated with a specific time, but consider context to ensure the right tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turbulent time

Replaces "fraught" with "turbulent", emphasizing instability and disturbance.

difficult phase

Substitutes "period" with "phase", suggesting a stage within a larger process, while "difficult" replaces "fraught".

challenging chapter

Replaces "period" with "chapter", implying a distinct part of a larger story, and uses "challenging" instead of "fraught".

tense moment

Changes "period" to "moment", indicating a shorter duration, and "fraught" to "tense", highlighting anxiety.

troubled era

Replaces "period" with "era", suggesting a longer span, and "fraught" with "troubled", emphasizing problems.

stressful interval

Substitutes "period" with "interval", denoting a segment of time, and "fraught" with "stressful", emphasizing pressure.

precarious juncture

Replaces both words with alternatives that denote a critical and unstable point in time.

critical juncture

Substitutes "period" with "juncture", which emphasize a specific point in time with important consequences, and "fraught" with "critical" denoting the importance of the moment.

trying circumstances

Shifts the focus to the surrounding circumstances, highlighting the challenging nature of the situation.

testing times

Replaces "period" with "times", a more general term, and "fraught" with "testing", emphasizing endurance and resilience.

FAQs

How can I use "fraught period" in a sentence?

You can use "fraught period" to describe a time filled with tension, anxiety, or difficulty. For example, "The company experienced a "fraught period" during the recession".

What can I say instead of "fraught period"?

You can use alternatives like "turbulent time", "difficult phase", or "challenging chapter" depending on the context.

Is "fraught period" formal or informal?

"Fraught period" is generally considered suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts, such as news articles, academic papers, or business reports. In casual conversation, simpler terms might be more appropriate.

What makes a period "fraught"?

A ""fraught period"" is characterized by significant stress, anxiety, and potential for negative outcomes. This can stem from political instability, economic crises, personal struggles, or any combination thereof.