good dilemma

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good dilemma" is not correct in standard English usage.
A dilemma typically refers to a situation where a difficult choice must be made between two or more options, and it is generally not considered "good." Example: "I faced a good dilemma when I had to choose between two job offers that both had their advantages."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We have a job on our hands to cut the squad by 12 in time for 10 April, but it is a good dilemma to have on our hands.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Circuit City's downsizing and filing for bankruptcy plus record label EMI's 1.2 billion dollar loss are giant signposts that the music industry's physical goods dilemma is reaching critical mass with an impending domino effect fast approaching.

Huffington Post

Here we present a simple spatial model of a diffusible public goods dilemma.

eLife

Allen et al. have developed a mathematical model of a public goods dilemma within a microbial colony, in which the public good travels from its producers to other cells by diffusion.

eLife

Proper handling and integrative analysis of such molecular data space characterizing microbial communities has allowed embedding phenotypic observables into various theoretical frameworks as the evolutionary selection for cooperation [ 6], the public goods dilemma in consortia [ 7], or avoidance of evolutionary traps [ 8].

BioData Mining

In contrast to the cooperator games presented above, public goods dilemmas focus attention on an openly accessible 'good' or resource that is potentially impacted by the actions of individuals [17] [20].

Plosone

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01169.002 Public goods dilemmas are frequently observed in microbes.

eLife

Microbes frequently face public goods dilemmas and often these dilemmas involve the production of diffusible products secreted into the extracellular environment.

eLife

Public goods dilemmas are common in nature and society, so there is much interest in identifying general principles that promote cooperation.

eLife

There's a potentially intriguing strand about a Glaswegian psycho who causes the narrator a few good moral dilemmas, but doesn't carry the required air of menace and madness.

The Guardian - Books

In an ideal world, it would be good if this dilemma were not present, but unfortunately it is".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reframe the situation as a "challenge" or "opportunity" to convey a more positive outlook. Instead of saying you have a "good dilemma", consider using "a welcome challenge".

Common error

Avoid using "good" with "dilemma" as it inherently implies a difficult choice between undesirable options. A dilemma is rarely, if ever, a positive situation. Instead of framing a situation as a "good dilemma", acknowledge the difficulty, then focus on potential positive outcomes or learning experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase is intended to function as a noun phrase, where "good" modifies "dilemma". However, a dilemma inherently implies a difficult or undesirable situation, making the combination with "good" unusual. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase may be considered not correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "good dilemma" presents a linguistic challenge, as Ludwig indicates its usage is not correct in standard English. A dilemma implies a difficult choice, making "good" seem contradictory. While some sources use the phrase, it remains uncommon. When facing such a situation, consider rephrasing to "welcome challenge" or "fortunate problem" to better convey your intended meaning. Remember to choose alternatives like "ethical quandary", "moral predicament", or "welcome challenge" based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethical quandary

Replaces "dilemma" with a synonym emphasizing ethics, which is a frequent issue with dilemmas.

moral predicament

Replaces "dilemma" with a synonym emphasizing morality, which is a frequent issue with dilemmas.

fortunate problem

Emphasizes the positive aspect, framing the dilemma as a welcome challenge.

welcome challenge

Replaces the negative connotation of "dilemma" with a more positive one.

positive choice

Highlights the selection of something good.

favorable predicament

Replaces the negative term "dilemma" with a positive one.

auspicious difficulty

Emphasizes the lucky or promising nature of the problem.

advantageous difficulty

It refers to a difficult situation, that it is, however, advantageous.

happy difficulty

It describes the state of having something tricky to solve in a pleasant way.

enviable situation

Describe the situation of someone that you could envy.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "good dilemma"?

While understandable, the phrase "good dilemma" is not considered standard English. A dilemma typically involves difficult choices, making the adjective "good" seem contradictory. Consider using "welcome challenge" or "fortunate problem" instead.

What can I say instead of "good dilemma"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "ethical quandary", "moral predicament", or "welcome challenge". Choose the phrase that best reflects the nuance of the situation.

How can I use "dilemma" correctly in a sentence?

Use "dilemma" to describe a situation with difficult choices. For example, "The company faced a dilemma: increase prices and risk losing customers, or maintain prices and accept lower profits."

What's the difference between a "dilemma" and a "problem"?

A "problem" is a general difficulty, while a "dilemma" is a specific type of problem involving a choice between two or more unfavorable options. A dilemma often involves ethical or moral considerations that increase its complexity.