mired in

USAGE SUMMARY

"mired in" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is stuck in a situation or condition in which they cannot make progress or escape. Example: "The country is mired in a decade-long recession with no sign of improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

West mired in mediocrity.

The New York Times - Sports

MPs were mired in sleaze.

Independent

Brazil is mired in stagflation.

The Economist

France is mired in stagnation.

The Economist

France is mired in Africa.

The Economist

Japan remained mired in deflation.

The New York Times

It remains mired in contentious litigation.

The New York Times

Its ministries are mired in scandal.

The Economist

We're mired in partisan trash-talking.

The New York Times

The team is mired in financial turmoil.

The New York Times

The bill is mired in controversy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mired in" to describe situations or conditions from which it is difficult to escape, especially when there is a sense of being stuck or trapped.

Common error

Avoid using "mired in" for trivial or easily resolvable situations; reserve it for conditions of significant depth and difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mired in" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of being deeply involved or stuck in a difficult or undesirable situation. Ludwig examples show it commonly describing economic, political, or social problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mired in" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe a state of being deeply stuck or involved in a difficult or undesirable situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, as well as in formal and business communications. When writing, it's essential to reserve "mired in" for situations where there is a significant sense of being trapped and unable to progress easily. Related phrases, like "entrenched in" or "bogged down in", offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, but with slight differences in nuance. Understanding these subtleties can help writers choose the most appropriate phrasing for their intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entrenched in

Indicates a firmly established and difficult-to-change situation, similar to being "mired in" but emphasizes the degree of establishment.

bogged down in

Suggests being slowed down or hindered by something, akin to being "mired in" but focusing on the impediment to progress.

embroiled in

Implies being deeply involved in a conflict or complicated situation, similar to "mired in" but highlighting the entanglement aspect.

enmeshed in

Suggests being closely intertwined or entangled in something, similar to "mired in" but emphasizing the complex interconnections.

caught up in

Indicates being involved in something, often unintentionally, similar to "mired in" but with a sense of accidental involvement.

engulfed in

Suggests being overwhelmed or consumed by something, similar to "mired in" but emphasizing the feeling of being overcome.

trapped in

Indicates a lack of freedom to escape a situation, similar to "mired in" but emphasizing the feeling of confinement.

stuck in

A more general term for being unable to move or progress, similar to "mired in" but lacking the depth of negativity.

sunk in

Implies a state of being deeply affected or overwhelmed, similar to "mired in" but with a sense of finality or defeat.

immersed in

Indicates being deeply involved or absorbed in something, which can be positive or negative, differing from the inherently negative connotation of "mired in".

FAQs

How can I use "mired in" in a sentence?

Use "mired in" to describe a situation, problem, or state that someone or something is deeply stuck in and unable to easily escape, for example, "The project is "mired in" bureaucracy".

What are some alternatives to saying "mired in"?

Alternatives to "mired in" include "bogged down in", "entrenched in", or "embroiled in", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "mired in" or "stuck in"?

"Mired in" is more specific and implies a difficult or unpleasant situation from which escape is challenging. "Stuck in" is more general and can apply to simpler situations. "Mired in" conveys a deeper sense of being trapped.

What does it mean when something is described as "mired in controversy"?

When something is described as "mired in controversy", it means that it is deeply involved in or surrounded by contentious debate or disagreement. It suggests that the controversy is significant and difficult to resolve.