looming crisis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looming crisis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an impending or imminent situation that is likely to cause significant problems or challenges. Example: "Experts warn that the looming crisis in the housing market could lead to widespread economic instability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The plan targets a looming crisis.

The New Yorker

In any case, college debt is clearly a looming crisis.

The New Yorker

Thus the conservation breeding program for this species faces a looming crisis.

Biological Conservation

Everybody looks for the serpent in paradise, the looming crisis.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is a looming crisis in primary school places.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some argue that after six months the current looming crisis would simply reappear.

The New York Times

The latest looming crisis is the possible implosion of a group of companies called monoline insurers.

The New Yorker

American military officers complain that the Iraqi government is not prepared for this looming crisis.

The Economist

Three years ago, as education secretary, he failed to spot a looming crisis over teacher redundancies.

The Economist

But few seem to be willing to talk about another looming crisis: credit card debt.

The New Yorker

Both face the challenges of how to deal with Syria and a looming crisis over Iran.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looming crisis" to signal an urgent situation that requires immediate attention and action. This phrase is effective in conveying a sense of impending danger and the need for proactive measures.

Common error

Avoid using "looming crisis" in situations that are merely challenging or inconvenient. Reserve it for scenarios with genuinely significant and potentially devastating consequences to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looming crisis" functions as a noun phrase, with "looming" acting as an adjective that modifies the noun "crisis". It denotes an event or situation whose emergence is perceived as imminent and threatening. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looming crisis" is a powerful and widely used expression to describe an impending serious problem. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, primarily in news, science, and business. The phrase serves to warn and urge action, and its register is generally neutral to professional. While highly effective, it's crucial to reserve "looming crisis" for situations that genuinely warrant such a strong term, avoiding overuse in less critical scenarios. Alternatives like "impending disaster" or "gathering storm" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impending disaster

Focuses on the catastrophic potential of the crisis.

approaching catastrophe

Highlights the disastrous nature and the sense of inevitability.

gathering storm

Uses a metaphor to describe the crisis as a developing threat.

brewing trouble

Suggests the crisis is in its early stages but will escalate.

developing emergency

Emphasizes the active and ongoing progression of the crisis.

growing threat

Highlights the increasing severity of the potential crisis.

impending doom

Stresses the sense of inevitable and negative outcomes.

oncoming hardship

Focuses on the difficult conditions that will result from the crisis.

gathering clouds

Employs a metaphorical expression signifying impending problems.

rising panic

Highlights an increase in anxiety and fear associated with a developing threat.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "looming crisis" in a sentence?

Use "looming crisis" to describe a situation that is about to become a serious problem. For example, "The "looming crisis in healthcare" requires immediate attention".

What are some alternatives to "looming crisis"?

You can use alternatives like "impending disaster", "approaching catastrophe", or "gathering storm" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "looming crisis" in formal writing?

Yes, "looming crisis" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing serious issues in business, politics, or science. However, ensure the situation genuinely warrants such a strong term.

What distinguishes "looming crisis" from a regular "problem"?

"Looming crisis" implies a problem that is not only significant but also rapidly approaching and likely to have severe consequences. A regular "problem" may be less urgent or impactful. The use of "looming" adds a sense of imminence and threat.