ongoing nightmare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ongoing nightmare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or experience that is continuously distressing or problematic. Example: "The construction noise outside my apartment has turned into an ongoing nightmare that disrupts my daily life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"It's an ongoing nightmare".

The New York Times

It was an ongoing nightmare.

The New York Times

Packing was an ongoing nightmare.

The New York Times - Arts

It has not been invoked in Syria, where life has become such an ongoing nightmare that many hundreds of thousands are fleeing.

The Guardian - Opinion

The place is Exhibit A for lawyers, a how-not-to guide for homeowners, a business handbook for contractors and an ongoing nightmare for insurers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Japan was also left to digest the jihadist group's chilling threat to kill more Japanese in an ongoing "nightmare" for the country.Ordinary people wish the threat of violence would disappear as swiftly as it came.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The book prompted ongoing nightmares, Specialist Marko told an Army health-care provider after his return from Iraq.

The New York Times

And let's not forget the ongoing nightmares of leaked of protoypes, loss of its fanboys, and its CTO.

TechCrunch

The Holocaust and the suffering of the Bosnians and Kosovar Albanians seem to provide a paradigm for history's ongoing nightmares.

Huffington Post

But it also covers Samsung's other ongoing PR nightmare: the revelation that some of the company's top-loading washing machines are capable of vibrating themselves to pieces, in one case breaking a customer's jaw.

The Guardian - Tech

The exact timing has been the cause of some speculation, but is ultimately timed to arrive just before it announces its fourth-quarter earnings, no doubt in an attempt to take some of the heat off of what it hopes will be one final rehash of last year's ongoing PR nightmare.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ongoing nightmare" to emphasize the continuing and unresolved nature of a distressing situation. For example, describing a long-term construction project affecting your neighborhood as an "ongoing nightmare" effectively communicates the sustained disruption.

Common error

Avoid using "ongoing nightmare" for minor inconveniences. Its strong negative connotation is best reserved for situations involving significant and prolonged distress or hardship to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ongoing nightmare" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object. It characterizes a situation or experience as continuously negative and problematic. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in describing prolonged distress, as validated by Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ongoing nightmare" effectively conveys prolonged distress or hardship, as confirmed by Ludwig AI's grammatical analysis. While grammatically sound, its use is best reserved for situations involving significant and lasting problems to avoid diluting its impact. Ludwig examples indicate its prevalence in news and media contexts, describing situations ranging from personal struggles to broader societal issues. When a more formal tone is needed, alternatives like "protracted crisis" or "sustained difficulty" may be more suitable. Understanding its connotations and appropriate contexts ensures its effective use in written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never-ending ordeal

This alternative conveys a sense of continuous suffering without resolution.

perpetual misery

This phrase suggests constant unhappiness and distress.

unrelenting torment

This alternative emphasizes the lack of relief from suffering.

chronic distress

This phrase highlights the long-lasting and persistent nature of the distress.

protracted suffering

This alternative emphasizes the extended duration of the suffering.

persistent tribulation

This phrase conveys a sense of enduring hardship and difficulty.

enduring adversity

This suggests facing continuous challenges and hardships.

continuous hardship

This alternative focuses on the uninterrupted nature of the difficult conditions.

unending struggle

This implies a constant and unresolved effort against difficulties.

sustained agony

This phrase denotes a prolonged and intense feeling of pain and suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "ongoing nightmare" in a sentence?

You can use "ongoing nightmare" to describe a situation that is continuously distressing or problematic. For instance, "Dealing with the insurance company has become an "ongoing nightmare"".

What phrases are similar to "ongoing nightmare"?

Alternatives to "ongoing nightmare" include "never-ending ordeal", "perpetual misery", or "unrelenting torment", depending on the specific context.

Is "ongoing nightmare" appropriate for formal writing?

While "ongoing nightmare" is acceptable, more formal alternatives like "protracted crisis" or "sustained difficulty" might be preferable in academic or business contexts. Consider your audience and the tone of your writing.

What makes "ongoing nightmare" different from a regular nightmare?

"Ongoing nightmare" refers to a real-life situation that is consistently unpleasant and problematic over a period of time, unlike a regular nightmare, which is a disturbing dream.