in difficult situations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in difficult situations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe circumstances that are challenging or problematic. Example: "She always remains calm and collected in difficult situations, which makes her an excellent leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He can relax in difficult situations.

The New York Times - Sports

Mamie was often at a loss in difficult situations.

The New Yorker

Collins is maturing, showing leadership and grit in difficult situations.

The New York Times - Sports

I just kept giving myself opportunities in difficult situations".

The New York Times - Sports

"For 40 years, I've been playing characters in difficult situations".

The New York Times

"In difficult situations," Sedikides says, "it appears that nostalgia grounds you.

The Guardian

They are bound together, I hope, by an empathy for sometimes unlovable people in difficult situations.

The New Yorker

The Spider-Man movies are closest to conventional movies, placing ordinary people in difficult situations.

The Guardian - Film

Colts Coach Tony Dungy, a close friend of Edwards, believes Edwards is best in difficult situations.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is incumbent on us in difficult situations to help the I.C.R.C. to do its job".

The New York Times

But they also remind viewers of his blindness, suggesting he can persevere in difficult situations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in difficult situations", ensure the context clearly establishes the nature of the difficulty. Be specific about what makes the situation challenging to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "in difficult situations" as a catch-all phrase. Instead, vary your language to provide more descriptive and nuanced accounts of the challenges faced. For example, instead of saying "they persevered in difficult situations", try specifying the exact challenge by writing "they persevered despite limited resources" or "they persevered through intense scrutiny".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in difficult situations" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the circumstances under which an action occurs. As Ludwig AI pointed out, is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in difficult situations" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase that adds context to various scenarios across multiple domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its function is to specify circumstances, purpose is to add clarity and its register is neutral. Related phrases, such as "in challenging circumstances", offer subtle variations in meaning. To ensure effective communication, writers should be specific about the nature of the difficulty and avoid overuse, thus adding clarity to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in challenging circumstances

Replaces "situations" with "circumstances", emphasizing the overall conditions rather than specific instances.

in tough times

Substitutes "difficult situations" with "tough times", focusing on periods of hardship.

under adverse conditions

Uses "adverse conditions" to highlight the unfavorable nature of the circumstances.

when facing adversity

Shifts the focus to the act of "facing adversity", emphasizing resilience.

amidst challenging scenarios

Replaces "situations" with "scenarios", framing the difficulties as hypothetical or potential events.

in trying circumstances

Uses "trying circumstances" to underscore the testing or straining nature of the situation.

during problematic times

Employs "problematic times" to emphasize the presence of problems or issues.

when things get tough

Offers a more informal alternative, highlighting the general experience of hardship.

under pressure

Focuses on the state of being "under pressure" as a result of difficult circumstances.

in a bind

Uses a colloquial expression to describe being "in a bind", or in a troublesome situation.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "in difficult situations"?

Alternatives include "in challenging circumstances", "in tough times", or "under adverse conditions" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "in difficult situations" in a sentence?

You can use "in difficult situations" to describe when someone or something faces a challenge. For example: "She remained calm "in difficult situations", which allowed her to find a solution."

Is there a more formal way to say "in difficult situations"?

Yes, you could use phrases such as "under adverse conditions" or "in challenging circumstances", which lend a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "in difficult situations" and "in challenging situations"?

While similar, "difficult" emphasizes hardship or adversity, whereas "challenging" focuses on the need for effort and skill. "In challenging situations", it emphasizes the need to test abilities, whereas "in difficult situations" focus on enduring hardships.