grievous time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grievous time" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to describe a period of significant suffering or distress, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "During the grievous time of the war, many families lost their homes and loved ones."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Of course, the fact that her father happened to be JG Ballard adds not a little intrigue to this grievous time travel.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They expounded the sweetness of the water to signify to the Syracusans a change from hard and grievous times into easier and more happy circumstances.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

46-year old Fausat Ogunbayo, who is representing herself, says the Administration for Children's Services's decision to place her children in foster care infringed upon her civil rights and ultimately inflicted "over three years of terror, horror, grievous harm, time lost, substantial economic hardship and injuries".

Huffington Post

But the main lesson learned – and now, apparently, ignored – from the Clinton years was that focusing on frivolous issues is perceived by the American people as nothing less than a grievous waste of time.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was a time of grievous loss.

The New Yorker

The indignities for Liverpool started with the "24 Years and Counting" banner that was unfurled before kick-off and, by the time another grievous setback was complete, it was not easy to imagine how long it might be before this proud old club is a realistic contender again for another league title.

The Guardian - Sport

He was jailed for 16 months for grievous bodily harm, although time served in custody means that Mann, now 21, will be out next month.

Vice

Of course, even after Sirk left Hollywood, movies, and great ones, continued to be made by other filmmakers, who either confronted the most grievous injustices of the times in their own way or subsumed them to abstractions that included them along with other benighted blunders of American life.

The New Yorker

Malala was writing about the ordinary experiences of a 12-year-old, but she was living in extraordinarily turbulent times, which meant that even her mundane experiences assumed a grievous tone.

BBC

While bikers were endangered 10 years ago, these days elderly people with fragile bones like me face grievous injury from bikers every time we cross the street, perhaps never to re-emerge from the hospital we are carted off to.

The New York Times

WARSAW -- Public discontent erupted on Tuesday for the first time in the grievous aftermath of the plane crash that claimed the lives of Poland's president and dozens of top politicians and military leaders, as hundreds of people in Krakow protested the decision to inter the president and his wife in a crypt holding the remains of many Polish kings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "grievous time" is understandable, consider using more common and natural-sounding alternatives like "time of great suffering" or "tragic period" to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid overuse. Although grammatically correct, repeatedly using "grievous time" can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grievous time" functions as a noun phrase, where "grievous" acts as a qualifying adjective describing the nature of the "time". This means it serves to name a specific period characterized by intense suffering or sorrow.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grievous time" is a grammatically correct but uncommon expression used to describe a period marked by intense suffering or sorrow. As Ludwig AI points out, it may sound awkward to native English speakers, and more common alternatives are often preferred. While it appears in contexts such as news and media and academia, it is relatively rare compared to phrases like "difficult time" or "tragic period". When writing, consider the impact you wish to create and whether a more common expression might better serve your purpose. The available sources indicate that while understandable, "grievous time" is not a particularly idiomatic or frequently used phrase in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time of great suffering

Focuses on the suffering experienced during the time period.

period of intense grief

Highlights the grief experienced during that period.

era of profound loss

Emphasizes the sense of loss associated with the time.

moment of deep sorrow

Zeroes in on the sorrow felt during the time.

season of hardship

Highlights the difficulties experienced during that time.

difficult chapter

Uses a metaphorical term for a period of difficulty.

tragic era

Emphasizes the tragic events of the time.

challenging period

Focuses on the challenges faced during the time.

time of great adversity

Highlights the adverse conditions of the time.

dark days

Uses a metaphorical term to describe a period of difficulty and despair.

FAQs

What does "grievous time" mean?

The phrase "grievous time" refers to a period marked by severe suffering, sorrow, or loss. It suggests a time of significant emotional or physical distress.

Is "grievous time" grammatically correct?

Yes, "grievous time" is grammatically correct, but it's not a very common or idiomatic phrase. Using it might sound somewhat formal or archaic.

What are some alternatives to "grievous time"?

You can use alternatives like "time of great suffering", "tragic period", or "difficult time" depending on the context.

When should I use "grievous time" instead of "difficult time"?

While "difficult time" is more general, "grievous time" emphasizes the severity of suffering and loss. Use "grievous time" when you want to highlight the intense sorrow or hardship experienced during that period.