major crisis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major crisis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or serious situation that requires urgent attention or action. Example: "The company faced a major crisis when its main product was recalled due to safety concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Major crisis".

The New York Times

We've got a major crisis facing America".

The New York Times

"This is a major crisis," she said.

The New York Times

This is a major crisis," she added.

The Guardian

"It's a major crisis," he said.

The New York Times

In October 1386 there was a major crisis in Parliament.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The protests have steadily escalated into a major crisis.

The New York Times

Britain's demand for a huge indemnity precipitated a major crisis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Write an article about living through a major crisis.

The New York Times

We may find ourselves in a major crisis".

The New York Times

"It's a potential major crisis in the future".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major crisis", ensure the context clearly establishes the severity and broad impact of the situation. Use specific details to illustrate why the situation qualifies as a crisis rather than a mere problem.

Common error

Avoid using "major crisis" to describe everyday inconveniences or minor setbacks. This dilutes the term's impact and credibility. Instead, reserve it for genuinely critical events with significant consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major crisis" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "major" modifies the noun "crisis". It is commonly used to describe a situation of great importance that requires immediate attention, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major crisis" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a significant and urgent situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely employed in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts to denote events with severe consequences. To use the phrase effectively, ensure the situation genuinely warrants such a description and provide specific details to underscore the severity. Alternatives like "significant emergency" or "critical situation" can be considered for nuanced expression. Avoiding overuse in trivial situations will maintain its impact. Ludwig's analysis suggests that this phrase is a powerful tool for highlighting critical issues when used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical situation

Replaces "crisis" with "situation", focusing on the critical nature of the circumstances.

grave emergency

Emphasizes the seriousness of the emergency.

significant emergency

Replaces "crisis" with "emergency" and "major" with "significant", emphasizing urgency.

severe difficulty

Focuses on the severity of the problem.

serious predicament

Substitutes "crisis" with "predicament", highlighting a difficult situation.

extreme trouble

Underscores the extremity of the problematic scenario.

acute difficulty

Highlights the intensity and sharpness of the difficulty.

dire straits

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate severe difficulty or distress.

profound dilemma

Highlights the depth and complexity of the problem.

substantial upheaval

Emphasizes the disruptive and transformative nature of the crisis.

FAQs

How can I use "major crisis" in a sentence?

Use "major crisis" to describe a situation that presents a significant threat or turning point. For example, "The company faced a major crisis when its main product was recalled." or "The country is undergoing a major crisis due to political instability."

What are some alternatives to "major crisis"?

You can use alternatives like "significant emergency", "critical situation", or "dire straits" depending on the context.

What distinguishes a "major crisis" from a "minor setback"?

A "major crisis" involves widespread, severe consequences and requires immediate, decisive action. A "minor setback", on the other hand, is a small, temporary obstacle with limited impact.

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

Yes, "major crisis" is appropriate for formal writing when describing genuinely serious situations. However, ensure the severity of the situation warrants such strong language.