impending misfortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impending misfortune" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where bad luck or disaster is about to happen. Example: "The villagers were filled with dread as they sensed the impending misfortune that loomed over their crops due to the drought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"They shamelessly profited off of their own clients' impending misfortune".

The New York Times

Gutiérrez laughed, blissfully unaware of her impending misfortune.

The Guardian

Standing at the window of his study, peering out into open space, the disoriented father in Gert Hofmann's "Luck" suspects impending misfortune.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Skull Kid, having stolen the Majora's Mask from the salesman, became possessed by its overwhelming power and transformed into an uncontrollable fiend who inflicts certain misfortune on others, the worst of which is an impending apocalypse: the moon is now set to collide with the world in approximately three days time.

Wikipedia

Impending doom?

The New York Times - Food

Misfortune has been piled on misfortune.

The Economist

Also: misfortune hunters.

The New York Times

People suffered misfortune".

The New York Times - Sports

This is its misfortune.

The Economist

There is an impending crisis.

Independent

Bernanke's impending departure.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impending misfortune" to create a sense of foreboding or suspense, highlighting the anticipation of negative events rather than their immediate occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "impending misfortune" in overly casual or lighthearted situations, as its serious tone can be jarring and inappropriate. Opt for lighter alternatives like "bad luck" or "unfortunate event" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impending misfortune" functions as a noun phrase, with "impending" acting as an adjective modifying "misfortune". This construction commonly serves to indicate a future event or state characterized by bad luck or adversity. Examples in Ludwig illustrate usage in both news and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impending misfortune" is a grammatically sound construction used to express the anticipation of bad luck or trouble. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples primarily from news and wiki sources, suggesting a neutral formality level. While semantically similar alternatives like "looming disaster" or "imminent doom" exist, "impending misfortune" offers a more general sense of approaching adversity, and it's crucial to avoid overuse in casual contexts. It serves to set a tone of foreboding by emphasizing the potential negative consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impending doom

Similar to the original phrase, but "doom" implies a more severe outcome than "misfortune".

approaching calamity

This alternative suggests a disaster of significant scale is on the horizon.

looming disaster

This phrase emphasizes the threatening and overwhelming nature of the approaching event.

imminent doom

This suggests a sense of unavoidable and catastrophic end.

forthcoming trouble

This suggests difficulty or problems are about to occur.

approaching adversity

This alternative highlights the challenging and difficult nature of the coming event.

gathering storm

This metaphor implies that negative circumstances are intensifying and leading to trouble.

brewing crisis

This alternative implies that the issue is developing and likely to explode.

threatening situation

This phrase indicates a potential danger or problem.

oncoming tribulation

This implies a period of suffering or hardship is about to start.

FAQs

How can I use "impending misfortune" in a sentence?

You can use "impending misfortune" to describe a situation where something bad is about to happen. For instance, "The dark clouds signaled an "impending misfortune" for the picnic."

What phrases are similar to "impending misfortune"?

Similar phrases include "looming disaster", "imminent doom", or "approaching calamity". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "impending misfortune" formal or informal?

"Impending misfortune" leans towards a more formal register. It's suitable for news reports, literature, or serious discussions. In casual conversation, something like "bad luck coming" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "impending misfortune" and "impending doom"?

While both suggest something bad is coming, "impending doom" implies a more catastrophic and unavoidable outcome. "Impending misfortune" suggests bad luck or trouble, but not necessarily complete destruction.