grave dilemma

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave dilemma" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a serious or critical situation that requires a difficult choice. For example, "The committee faced a grave dilemma regarding the allocation of funds." Alternative expressions include "serious dilemma" and "critical dilemma."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Sadly, it is unclear whether our president has truly wrestled with both sides of this grave dilemma.

The New York Times

According to one objection, the pluralist appears caught in a grave dilemma.

SEP

This rationale is used by devout gun owners who believe that mass shootings can be prevented if the victims were properly armed, or if more citizens with guns are present in such a grave dilemma.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Shawn highlights the "extremely grave social dilemma" around sexual abuse of children and stresses the legal presumption of innocence until the accused is proven to be guilty.

The Guardian - Film

Of the people I've known, he's one of those I've respected most". Shawn highlights the "extremely grave social dilemma" around sexual abuse of children and stresses the legal presumption of innocence until the accused is proven to be guilty.

The Guardian - Film

That presents an extremely grave social dilemma.

Los Angeles Times

Current stage-specific survival for esophageal cancer is illustrated in Table 3 and Figure 4. Unresectable esophageal cancer, patients with stage 4 or metastatic disease, and cancer arising in patients medically unfit for treatment present a grave clinical dilemma.

Cancer Management and Research

The rise of groups such as Jabhat al-Nusra in a post-Assad Syria would constitute grave security dilemmas for Israel.

HuffPost

Weiss and Ellis discussed this dilemma while walking back to the grave, where they observed two men beginning to shovel dirt onto the casket.

Wikipedia

Vieira de Mello's career had taken him through some of the world's worst conflict zones, grappling with the dilemma of how the international community should respond to grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both the categories of dirty hands and moral dilemma involve agonising choice in which there will be grave moral loss either way.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional weight the phrase carries; reserve it for scenarios where the gravity is genuinely present.

Common error

Avoid using "grave dilemma" in contexts that are not genuinely serious. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave dilemma" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a situation characterized by serious problems necessitating a difficult choice. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, all implying a critical and challenging scenario.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave dilemma" is a noun phrase used to describe a seriously problematic situation involving difficult choices. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It's most frequently encountered in News & Media and Scientific contexts, signaling its use when conveying the seriousness of an issue. While grammatically sound, it's advisable to avoid overuse in trivial situations. Related phrases like "serious predicament" offer alternative ways to express challenging situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious predicament

Emphasizes the challenging and difficult nature of the situation, similar to a "grave dilemma".

critical challenge

Focuses on the importance and difficulty of the challenge, akin to a "grave dilemma".

difficult situation

Highlights the problematic nature of the circumstances, similar to a "grave dilemma".

complex problem

Stresses the intricate and complicated nature of the issue, similar to a "grave dilemma".

moral quandary

Specifically refers to a dilemma involving ethical considerations, similar to a "grave dilemma" in a moral context.

ethical problem

Emphasizes the ethical dimension of the problem, similar to a "grave dilemma" in an ethical context.

tough choice

Highlights the difficulty in making a decision, similar to a "grave dilemma" requiring a hard choice.

hard decision

Focuses on the challenging nature of the decision to be made, akin to a "grave dilemma".

serious issue

Underlines the importance and severity of the matter, similar to a "grave dilemma".

challenging question

Highlights the difficulty in finding an answer or solution, similar to a "grave dilemma".

FAQs

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

You can use "grave dilemma" to describe a serious problem with difficult choices. For example, "The company faced a grave dilemma when sales declined sharply."

What phrases are similar to "grave dilemma"?

Alternatives include "serious predicament", "critical challenge", or "difficult situation".

Is "grave dilemma" too formal for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "grave dilemma" is relatively formal. In casual conversation, simpler phrases like "tough situation" or "serious problem" may be more appropriate.

What makes a dilemma "grave"?

A "grave" dilemma involves significant potential negative consequences or moral implications, making it a situation that requires careful consideration and difficult choices.