identity crisis

USAGE SUMMARY

"identity crisis" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time in a person's life when they struggle to find out who they are and what their purpose is. For example: "Rob had an identity crisis shortly after graduating college when he realized that he was lost and didn't know what to do next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The identity crisis story.

WikiHow

There's an identity crisis too.

The New York Times - Arts

Had an identity crisis today.

The New Yorker

It's an identity crisis".

The Guardian - Film

That slight feeling of identity crisis persists.

The New Yorker

"Openly Straight" suffers no such identity crisis.

The New York Times - Books

"We don't have an identity crisis.

The New York Times

She's not having an identity crisis".

The New York Times

Kato suffered his own identity crisis.

The New York Times

San Francisco is having an identity crisis.

The New York Times

Talk about an identity crisis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "identity crisis", consider the specific context: Is it a personal struggle, a societal issue, or a brand's repositioning? Tailor your language to reflect the specific nuance.

Common error

Avoid overusing "identity crisis" for simple moments of indecision. It denotes a deeper, more prolonged period of questioning one's core values and sense of self.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identity crisis" functions primarily as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to describe a period of significant uncertainty and questioning related to one's sense of self or purpose. It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, denoting a specific state or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "identity crisis" is a frequently used noun phrase referring to a period of profound self-doubt and questioning. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely employed, especially in news and media. While the phrase can describe personal struggles, it's also applicable to organizations or even abstract concepts. For closely related alternatives, consider "crisis of identity" or "existential crisis". When writing, remember that "identity crisis" signifies a deep exploration of values, going beyond simple indecision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crisis of identity

Reorders the original phrase, emphasizing "crisis" as the central element.

identity confusion

Simplifies the original phrase, removing the sense of urgency or distress.

existential crisis

Shifts the focus to a broader questioning of existence and purpose.

midlife crisis

Specifies a particular life stage when such crises often occur.

search for identity

Focuses on the active pursuit of understanding oneself.

personal crisis

Broadens the scope to any significant personal challenge or turning point.

sense of self confusion

Describes the state of being uncertain about one's identity.

questioning of self

Emphasizes the process of examining one's own values and beliefs.

struggle for self-definition

Highlights the effort involved in establishing a clear identity.

loss of self

Suggests a feeling of detachment from one's previous identity.

FAQs

What does the phrase "identity crisis" mean?

An "identity crisis" refers to a period of uncertainty and questioning, typically involving a person's sense of self, values, and place in the world. It can also apply to organizations or even nations.

How do you use "identity crisis" in a sentence?

You might say, "After losing his job, he went through an "identity crisis" and questioned his career path" or "The company's rebranding efforts led to an "identity crisis" as customers struggled to understand its new mission".

What are some alternative ways to say "identity crisis"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "crisis of identity", "existential crisis", or "search for identity".

Is "identity crisis" always a negative experience?

While often associated with stress and confusion, an "identity crisis" can also be a catalyst for positive change and self-discovery, leading to a stronger and more authentic sense of self.