nearing desperation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearing desperation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is approaching a state of extreme distress or hopelessness. Example: "After weeks of searching for a job with no success, I found myself nearing desperation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now, one senses near desperation among all voters: Can't these guys do anything?

The Washington Post

"Pakistan," Ward says, "is in a state of near desperation over water".

The New York Times - Books

Gerard Lemerle, the president of Le Croisic's tourism office, sounds near desperation.

The New York Times

With Hillary under savage attack and in near desperation, she is beginning to sound a lot like Edwards.

The Guardian

"It is taking extraordinary measure of near desperation to keep consumers afloat," said Stephen S. Roach, chief economist for Morgan Stanley.

The New York Times

Invoking a tone of near desperation, Wiesel asks: "Why didn't the God of love spare so many descendants of Moses and Aaron?

The New York Times - Books

"Emigrating out of one's country is often a last-chance act of near desperation for poor and working people and takes a great deal of forethought and a near-total break from all that one has known," she added.

The New York Times

And in a moment of near desperation last year — after several companies worried about turning down orders because they did not have the manpower to handle them — Minnesota manufacturers hatched their grandest rescue effort of all: a program to create a skilled work force from scratch.

The New York Times

Any "senior Treasury official" – the source of the FT leak – will have known of their boss's position; indeed I doubt such a high-profile and damaging leak could have been made without his knowledge and tacit approval, fuelled by his near desperation that the chancellor and prime minister seem determined to drive the project forward despite his best efforts at proving it costly and futile.

The Guardian - Opinion

Adams let a different criterion guide his decision -- the city's near desperation for resources and people to meet the unmet public need.

Huffington Post

Keys pound ominously as Williams sings, near desperation, "I take my heart and I divvy up/the separate parts into city blocks/I walk around all the city blocks/hunted by sirens hunted by thoughts".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearing desperation" to vividly portray a gradual descent into a state of extreme need or hopelessness. This phrase works well when you want to emphasize the process rather than the final state.

Common error

While acceptable, "nearing desperation" can sometimes sound melodramatic in very formal or scientific writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "approaching a critical stage" or "reaching a crucial point" in professional reports or academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearing desperation" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of approaching extreme need or hopelessness. It describes a process or a transition toward a critical point. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in English writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearing desperation" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, albeit relatively rare. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in describing a gradual slide into extreme need or hopelessness. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to evoke urgency and empathy. When writing, be mindful of the context; while suitable for general use, consider more formal alternatives in academic or business settings. Related phrases include "approaching despair" and "on the brink of hopelessness", offering nuanced ways to express a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approaching despair

Focuses more directly on the emotional state of despair rather than the process of approaching it.

on the brink of hopelessness

Emphasizes the imminence of reaching a state of hopelessness.

verging on desperation

Uses "verging" to suggest a slight inclination towards desperation.

close to despair

Indicates physical or emotional proximity to a state of despair.

nearing the end of one's rope

An idiomatic expression indicating that one is about to exhaust their resources or patience.

approaching a crisis point

Highlights the build-up to a critical moment or turning point.

at wit's end

An idiomatic phrase meaning to be completely perplexed or frustrated.

becoming desperate

Focuses on the action of becoming desperate, rather than nearing the state.

reaching a critical stage

Emphasizes the progression toward a decisive phase, often implying urgency.

on the verge of giving up

Specifies the potential outcome of the desperation: surrender.

FAQs

How can I use "nearing desperation" in a sentence?

You can use "nearing desperation" to describe a situation where someone or something is approaching a state of extreme need or hopelessness. For example: "After weeks of searching for a job with no luck, he was nearing desperation."

What phrases are similar to "nearing desperation"?

Similar phrases include "approaching despair", "on the brink of hopelessness", or "verging on desperation".

Is it correct to say "near desperation" instead of "nearing desperation"?

While "near desperation" might be understood, "nearing desperation" is more grammatically sound and commonly used. "Near desperation" is also mostly used as part of the expression "near desperation for", as in "Adams let a different criterion guide his decision -- the city's near desperation for resources and people to meet the unmet public need."

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "nearing desperation"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that a situation or person is progressively moving towards a state of extreme urgency, need, or hopelessness. It’s often used to add emotional weight to a description.