major predicament

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major predicament" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or serious problem or difficult situation someone is facing. Example: "The company found itself in a major predicament when its main supplier went out of business unexpectedly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Trust me," she said, "I'm in a major predicament".

The New York Times

Mushir al-Masri, a Hamas Gaza official "The state of paralysis that was revealed by these results reflects the major predicament currently undergone by the Hebrew state, out of which its political elite seems to be incapable of leading it, whether through peace or war".

The Guardian

Serge Elkiner, CEO/Co-Founder, says the tokenization system "drastically reduces" the fraud for card-not-present transactions, which is a major predicament in Latin America.

TechCrunch

Taleb suggests that debt, our major predicament because of the necessity to repay it, makes us all vulnerable to forecasting errors.

Forbes

Energy problems seems to be a major predicament limiting SMEs growth in Nigeria and this has continually hindered the existence of virile business environment and led to increasing high cost of production and doing business in Nigeria.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Similarly, financial incentives to the surgeon(s) or individuals who are carrying out the study would result in major ethical predicaments to patients.

Acta Neurochirurgica

If this process operates as it should, portfolio insurance should destabilise markets no more or less than any other strategy.JOHN O'BRIENNew YorkShouting the oddsSIR The predicament of the major bookmaking chains is significantly worse than you suggest ("Bad books", June 12th).

The Economist

One of the great virtues of "Leviathan," and a source of its surprising spaciousness, is how zealously the director, Andrey Zvyagintsev, takes time to follow minor characters to a point where their predicaments strike a major chord.

The New Yorker

"Following major storms, homeowners recognizing their precarious predicament built so-called erosion protection structures to protect their property," it said.

The New York Times

One reason the major airlines find themselves in this predicament is that they use huge amounts of fixed capital -- wide-body jets go for $100 million each and can't be readily liquidated.

The New York Times - Magazine

Harvey said the team's predicament was not a major surprise, given the journey the club was on.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "major predicament" to describe situations where the difficulty is substantial and impactful, not merely inconvenient. For instance, a business facing bankruptcy is in a "major predicament", whereas a minor scheduling conflict is not.

Common error

Avoid using "major predicament" for trivial issues. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for genuinely serious and challenging situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major predicament" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig indicates it's used to describe a significant difficulty or serious situation. Examples show it describing business challenges, energy problems, and personal ethical concerns.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major predicament" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant and impactful difficult situation. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in news and media and science contexts, maintaining a neutral to slightly formal tone. When writing, reserve this phrase for genuinely serious issues to avoid diluting its impact. Consider using alternatives like "serious dilemma" or "significant crisis" to add variety to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious dilemma

Emphasizes the difficult choice aspect of the situation.

significant crisis

Highlights the severity and urgency of the situation.

grave situation

Focuses on the seriousness and potential danger involved.

critical juncture

Indicates a turning point with significant consequences.

difficult straits

Stresses the hardship and distress of the situation.

tough spot

A more informal way to describe a challenging situation.

challenging circumstances

Emphasizes the difficulty posed by the surrounding conditions.

problematic situation

A general term for a situation causing difficulties.

complex issue

Focuses on the intricate and complicated nature of the problem.

unfavorable position

Highlights the disadvantageous nature of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "major predicament" to describe a difficult or serious situation. For example: "The company found itself in a "major predicament" when its main supplier went out of business unexpectedly."

What can I say instead of "major predicament"?

You can use alternatives like "serious dilemma", "significant crisis", or "grave situation" depending on the context.

Is "major predicament" a formal or informal phrase?

"Major predicament" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for both news reporting and professional communication, but less so for casual conversation.

What is the difference between "major predicament" and "minor inconvenience"?

"Major predicament" describes a serious and impactful problem, while "minor inconvenience" refers to a small, easily manageable issue. The former implies significant difficulty, while the latter suggests only slight disruption.