in the worst case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the worst case" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that something negative could potentially happen, although it is not certain. For example, "If I don't finish my project on time, in the worst case, I could get fired."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

In the worst case, paranoia fills the vacuum.

Harvard Business Review

In the worst case, it loses at most $2.4 million.

The New York Times

In the worst case, Greece could still default, analysts said.

The New York Times

In the worst case scenario, the country could default and thereby limit its liability.

University of California, Berkeley

What you really care about is how does it run in the worst case?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If undetected, such abnormalities can lead to process downtime and in the worst case, accidents.

Chemical Engineering Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

In the worst-case scenario, ministers stop trying, analysts say.

The New York Times

In the worst-case outlook, the economy begins to implode.

The New York Times

However, the proposed technique requires the labels of all n input pairs in the worst-case.

Stanford University

In the worst-case, the underlying optimization problems are NP-hard.

Duke University

There are exponentially many of them in the worst-case.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the worst case" to realistically assess potential negative outcomes in planning and risk management. This allows for better preparation and mitigation strategies.

Common error

Avoid using "in the worst case" excessively, as it can create unnecessary anxiety and undermine confidence. Balance it with realistic optimism and focus on proactive solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the worst case" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a potential negative consequence or outcome. It qualifies a statement by presenting the most unfavorable possibility. As Ludwig confirms, it's a common and acceptable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the worst case" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates a potential negative outcome. As Ludwig states, it's a common phrase used across a variety of contexts, predominantly in scientific and news-related publications. While it's helpful for risk assessment and realistic planning, it's important to avoid overuse and balance it with optimism. Alternatives like "at worst" or "if the worst happens" can provide variety in expression. The phrase serves as a cautionary element, preparing audiences for potential negative consequences in decision-making and forecasting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at worst

Emphasizes the most unfavorable outcome as a limit or boundary.

if the worst-case scenario materializes

Uses the more verbose "worst-case scenario" explicitly.

if everything goes wrong

A general expression for when all possible errors occur.

if the absolute worst happens

Adds dramatic emphasis to the possibility of a dire situation.

under the most unfavorable circumstances

Highlights external conditions contributing to a negative result.

should the worst come to pass

A more formal and literary way of expressing a negative outcome.

in the unlikeliest scenario

Highlights the improbability of the negative event occurring.

assuming the most negative outcome

Focuses on planning based on the most pessimistic predictions.

in the event of total failure

Specifically refers to a situation where a project or plan completely collapses.

in a doomsday scenario

Implies a catastrophic and potentially irreversible outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "in the worst case" in a sentence?

The phrase "in the worst case" is used to describe the most negative outcome that could happen in a given situation. For example, "If the negotiations fail, "in the worst case", we might have to file for bankruptcy."

What can I say instead of "in the worst case"?

You can use alternatives such as "at worst", "if the worst happens", or "should the worst come to pass" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "in the worst case" and "worst-case scenario"?

"In the worst case" is a phrase used within a sentence to describe a potential outcome. "Worst-case scenario" is a noun phrase that refers to a hypothetical situation where everything that could go wrong does go wrong. They are often used together, but "worst-case scenario" can also stand alone.

When should I use "in the worst case" versus "optimistically"?

Use "in the worst case" when assessing risks and planning for potential problems. Use "optimistically" when focusing on positive outcomes and encouraging a hopeful outlook. Balancing both perspectives provides a comprehensive view of a situation.