intractable situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intractable situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a problem or circumstance that is difficult or impossible to manage or resolve. Example: "The negotiations reached a standstill due to the intractable situation regarding territorial disputes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"This has become an intractable situation.

The New York Times

Two, in particular, dramatise the intractable situation in which their country finds itself.

The Guardian - Books

She wrote Simon a long letter, explaining what she saw as an intractable situation.

The New Yorker

This seemingly intractable situation was suddenly solved by the inspired Margaret Matheson.

The Guardian

But the Speaker seems to approach this intractable situation with what Thrush calls a "nicotine-induced zen".

The New Yorker

Óscar Ortiz, the mayor of Santa Tecla, called the truce a very bold answer to an intractable situation.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

It is simply one of those intractable situations where nothing will feel right.

The New York Times

However, for almost a decade Sinn Féin had been patently trying to build a peace process and unfolding events on the world stage – including the dismantling of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany, and the release of Mandela – were evidence that governments, and apparently intractable situations, could change.

The Guardian - Opinion

And looking back, it laid the groundwork for Affleck's career as a director producing compelling thrillers such as Argo and The Town that use tension as shamelessly as Good Will Hunting uses emotion, pleasingly calling to mind the crime dramas of the 1940s and 50s in which taciturn men find themselves forced into intractable situations, weighing up dilemmas about love and corruption and morality.

The Guardian - Film

The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says it is one of the most complex and intractable situations in Asia.

BBC

Major problem at 1 00 a.m.! Before stumbling into intractable situations such as this, we recommend you try out at least one online tutorial on presentations for technical and scientific types.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intractable situation" when you want to emphasize the persistent and seemingly unsolvable nature of a problem. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts, conveying a sense of frustration or resignation regarding the difficulty of finding a solution.

Common error

Avoid using "intractable situation" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "tough problem" or "dead end" are more appropriate in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intractable situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "intractable" is an adjective modifying the noun "situation". It typically describes a complex or difficult state of affairs that is resistant to resolution. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intractable situation" effectively describes a problem or circumstance that appears impossible to resolve. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and common usage make it a reliable choice for expressing complex difficulties. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, and maintains a neutral to formal register. While semantically related alternatives such as "unresolvable problem" and "hopeless case" exist, "intractable situation" provides a specific emphasis on the persistent and seemingly unsolvable nature of the problem at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unresolvable problem

Replaces "situation" with "problem", focusing on the problematic aspect while retaining the sense of being unresolvable.

hopeless case

Shifts the focus to the lack of hope for improvement or resolution.

impossible dilemma

Highlights the aspect of a difficult choice with no satisfactory solution.

unmanageable circumstance

Emphasizes the difficulty in controlling or dealing with the situation.

insurmountable obstacle

Focuses on the barrier or impediment that seems impossible to overcome.

deadlock

Conveys a standstill in negotiations or progress, implying a lack of resolution.

stalemate

Similar to deadlock, highlighting a situation where neither side can gain an advantage.

no-win scenario

Emphasizes that any outcome will be negative or undesirable.

challenging predicament

Highlights the difficulty and complexity of the situation.

thorny issue

Focuses on the problematic and complex nature of the issue at hand.

FAQs

How to use "intractable situation" in a sentence?

You can use "intractable situation" to describe a problem or circumstance that is difficult or impossible to manage or resolve. For example: "The negotiations reached a standstill due to the "intractable situation" regarding territorial disputes."

What can I say instead of "intractable situation"?

You can use alternatives like "unresolvable problem", "hopeless case", or "impossible dilemma" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "intractable situation" or "unmanageable situation"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Intractable situation" implies a deep-rooted, seemingly unsolvable problem, while "unmanageable situation" simply suggests that a situation is difficult to control.

What's the difference between "intractable situation" and "challenging situation"?

"Challenging situation" describes something difficult that can potentially be overcome. In contrast, ""intractable situation"" suggests a problem that seems impossible to resolve, indicating a more severe and persistent difficulty.