in desperation

USAGE SUMMARY

"in desperation" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone is feeling desperate or hopeless about a situation, for example: "She ran away from home in desperation, seeking a safe place to live."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Asian America began in desperation.

The New Yorker

In desperation to find a new traineeship.

The New York Times - Health

They came to town in desperation.

The Economist

In desperation, fresh talks were initiated.

The Economist

How in desperation — does this sound familiar?

The New York Times

So in desperation she did.

The Washington Post

In desperation, they leak it.

The Washington Post

"My mother is in desperation.

The Guardian

"That was done in desperation.

The Guardian

Hugo Wohl approached Anger in desperation.

The Guardian

In desperation the president turned to Primakov.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in desperation" to clearly convey that an action was taken because of a dire or hopeless situation. This adds emotional weight and clarifies the actor's state of mind.

Common error

Avoid using "in desperation" when the situation is merely inconvenient or frustrating. It should be reserved for truly critical scenarios to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in desperation" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause, providing information about the manner or circumstance in which an action is performed. Ludwig examples show it setting the stage for actions taken under extreme duress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

9%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in desperation" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that an action is taken due to extreme distress or a hopeless situation. With a neutral register, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, making it a reliable addition to your writing toolkit. Remember to reserve it for situations where the intensity truly warrants its use, differentiating it from mere inconvenience or frustration. Consider alternatives like "out of despair" or "as a last resort" to add nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of despair

Indicates action motivated by a complete loss of hope.

as a last resort

Highlights that an action is taken only when all other options have failed.

in extremis

A more formal term for being in a critical or desperate situation.

under duress

Suggests actions taken when someone is forced or coerced.

driven by necessity

Actions are compelled by unavoidable needs.

compelled by urgency

Highlights the pressing nature of a situation causing action.

in dire straits

Emphasizes the severity and difficulty of the situation.

at wit's end

Describes a state of frustration and loss of ideas on what to do.

with no other recourse

Points out the lack of alternative actions.

when all seemed lost

Implies a hopeless situation before taking action.

FAQs

How can I use "in desperation" in a sentence?

Use "in desperation" to indicate that someone is acting due to extreme distress or a hopeless situation. For instance, "In desperation, he sold his belongings to pay off his debts".

What phrases are similar to "in desperation"?

Alternatives include "out of despair", "as a last resort", or "in extremis". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "in desperation" in formal writing?

Yes, "in desperation" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you need to convey the intensity of a situation. However, for a more elevated tone, consider "in extremis".

What is the difference between "in desperation" and "in despair"?

"In desperation" describes acting out of a feeling of hopelessness, whereas "in despair" describes the feeling itself. You might act "in desperation" because you are "in despair".