litany of crises

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "litany of crises" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a long list or series of problems or emergencies that are occurring simultaneously or in succession. Example: "The government is facing a litany of crises, including economic downturns, public health emergencies, and environmental disasters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But many have expressed concerns that a litany of crises faced by the Japanese government makes it entirely unsuitable to host such a global event.

Independent

And Facebook, which has faced a litany of crises in the last two years, denies any wrongdoing.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

That means that Rwanda, which is accused by the UN's own experts of a litany of crimes in the neighbouring DR Congo, will now have oversight of any international action in that crisis.

Independent

I'm not going to go through the litany of why this refugee crisis has taken place.

The Guardian

Mr. Bloomberg obviously does not bear responsibility for the creation of the indecipherable, huckster financial instruments that resulted in our economic crisis and the litany of personal miseries that followed, but he was one of the country's most impassioned and nurturing supporters of Wall Street during its most ethically unhinged hour.

The New York Times

That follows an earlier call for a bank tax to help offset the costs of taxpayer-funded bailouts during the financial crisis and a litany of new regulatory proposals from a parade of government officials.

Forbes

Covington & Burling represents and has represented a litany of clients from the financial sector that fueled the crisis in the first place.

Huffington Post

The world's largest insurance company has launched a new ad campaign that thanks Americans for their taxpayer-funded bailout during the global financial crisis, including a commercial with a litany of employees saying, "Thank you, America".

Huffington Post

The litany of extreme weather events has often left local officials scrambling to respond to each new crisis, looking — by turns pathetic and heroic — like the little Dutch boy with his finger in the dike, trying to fend off nature's monumental forces.

The New York Times

Next year, a "Litany of Lamb"?

The New York Times - Food

Together they recounted a litany of trespasses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "litany of crises" to emphasize the overwhelming and repetitive nature of the problems. It adds a sense of gravity and urgency to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "litany of crises" in casual or informal writing. The phrase carries a serious tone and is more appropriate for formal or journalistic contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives like "a lot of problems" in less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "litany of crises" is to act as a noun phrase. It serves to identify and describe a collection of critical and often urgent problems. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly found in news articles and formal reports.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "litany of crises" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that succinctly conveys a long series of problems or emergencies. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for formal and journalistic contexts, where it adds a sense of urgency. While "litany of crises" is most common in news and media, it is important to consider less formal alternatives such as "series of problems" or "a number of issues" when writing for a less serious audience. By carefully considering the context and intended audience, writers can effectively employ "litany of crises" to convey the gravity of a situation while maintaining appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

series of crises

Direct synonym, replacing "litany" with "series", focusing on sequential occurrence.

spate of crises

Replaces "litany" with "spate", suggesting a sudden and intense outbreak of crises.

succession of crises

Similar to "series", but emphasizes that the crises follow one another directly.

number of crises

More neutral and less emphatic than "litany of crises".

catalog of crises

Replaces "litany" with "catalog", emphasizing a detailed listing of crises.

cluster of crises

Implies that crises are happening together or are closely related.

parade of crises

Suggests a conspicuous and almost overwhelming sequence of crises.

torrent of crises

Implies that the crises are coming intensely and rapidly, like a flood.

wave of crises

Suggests the crises build up and then subside like a wave.

troublesome times

A more generic and less specific description of multiple crises, focusing on the hardship they cause.

FAQs

How can I use "litany of crises" in a sentence?

You can use "litany of crises" to describe a series of difficult situations or emergencies. For example: "The new administration inherited a "litany of crises" including economic recession and public health concerns."

What phrases are similar to "litany of crises"?

Alternatives to "litany of crises" include "series of crises", "spate of crises", or "catalog of crises". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "litany of crises" formal or informal?

"Litany of crises" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for journalistic, academic, or professional contexts. In more casual settings, simpler language might be more appropriate.

Can "litany" be used with positive events, or only negative ones like "crises"?

While "litany" is most often used to describe a series of negative events or problems, it can technically be used with positive events too, though this is less common. For example, one might say "a litany of successes", but be aware that this usage may sound unusual to some.