outrageous situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outrageous situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a scenario that is shocking, unacceptable, or extremely unreasonable. Example: "The outrageous situation at the event left everyone in disbelief, as the organizers failed to provide basic amenities for the attendees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

This outrageous situation has to be reversed.

The New York Times

Why has this outrageous situation come about?

The New York Times

"It was an outrageous situation when New Jersey had no commercial television station to serve its people, and it will be an outrageous situation if WWOR is permitted to leave the state," she said.

The New York Times

Rural residents and communities deserve answers as to why this outrageous situation has been allowed to continue for so long.

The Guardian

"It's an outrageous situation at the moment where we ask women across the state to flee their homes every year because we can't keep them safe," McCormack said.

The Guardian

The subcommittee has scheduled a hearing on Thursday to look into what Senator Norm Coleman, the Minnesota Republican who is its chairman, called an outrageous situation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

WARREN BERGER -- So many dot-com ads, including the ones we just looked at, seem to feature off-the-wall humor, outrageous situations, quirky celebrities.

The New York Times

Rock is no actor, but he rides a wave of funny, self-aware and outrageous situations, and this is always watchable.

The Guardian - Film

HAD you met her casually with no clue as to her identity, you would never associate Madelyn Pugh Davis with the outlandish behavior and outrageous situations personified by Lucille Ball in her madcap heyday.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Newman, in this case, becomes a kind of accidental Luis Buñuel, who knew well that the most outrageous situations were best served by a neutral, naturalistic mise-en-scène.

The New York Times

Mr. Tinelli made his show tough for politicians to ignore after he resurrected a comedy sketch called "Gran Cuñado," or "Big Brother-in-Law," which features more than a dozen actors impersonating Argentine politicians in outrageous situations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as an "outrageous situation", provide specific details to support your claim and avoid generalizations. Concrete examples will strengthen your argument and make it more convincing.

Common error

Avoid labeling every problem as an "outrageous situation". Overusing the phrase dilutes its impact and can make your writing sound hyperbolic or sensationalistic. Reserve it for genuinely shocking or unacceptable circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outrageous situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "outrageous" modifies the noun "situation". It describes a specific condition or set of circumstances that are considered shocking and unacceptable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

13%

Huffington Post

12%

Less common in

The Guardian - TV & Radio

0%

Los Angeles Times

0%

Vice

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outrageous situation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a shocking, unacceptable, or unreasonable set of circumstances. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it is suitable for use in written English to express disapproval or indignation. While frequently found in news and media, it is essential to use it judiciously to avoid diluting its impact. Consider more formal alternatives like "egregious circumstances" in professional writing. Be specific when using this phrase, providing concrete details to support your claims. Top sources using this expression are The New York Times, The Guardian, and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scandalous state of affairs

This alternative replaces "outrageous situation" with a more formal expression emphasizing the shocking and unacceptable nature of the circumstances.

unacceptable circumstance

This phrase replaces "outrageous" with "unacceptable" and "situation" with "circumstance" to describe something not tolerable.

shocking state of affairs

This option uses "shocking" instead of "outrageous" offering a less accusatory description of the circumstances.

appalling set of circumstances

This alternative uses stronger language ("appalling") and a more descriptive noun phrase ("set of circumstances") to amplify the negative connotation.

egregious circumstances

This is a more formal option which replaces “outrageous” with “egregious” maintaining a high degree of similarity.

intolerable conditions

This alternative shifts the focus to the conditions themselves, emphasizing their unbearable nature rather than the situation as a whole.

unjust predicament

This option highlights the unfairness of the situation, appealing to a sense of moral outrage.

unconscionable event

This alternative emphasizes the moral aspect, describing the situation as something that violates one's conscience.

deplorable scenario

This option uses "deplorable" to highlight the regrettable nature of the situation and replaces "situation" with "scenario".

unacceptable reality

By using the term "reality", this implies a broader scope which the subject has to deal with.

FAQs

How can I use "outrageous situation" in a sentence?

You can use "outrageous situation" to describe a scenario that is shocking, unacceptable, or extremely unreasonable. For example, "The lack of clean water in the community is an "outrageous situation" that needs immediate attention".

What phrases can I use instead of "outrageous situation"?

Alternatives include "scandalous state of affairs", "unacceptable circumstance", or "shocking state of affairs", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "outrageous situation" too strong of a phrase to use in formal writing?

While "outrageous situation" is acceptable, in formal writing, consider using more nuanced alternatives like "egregious circumstances" or "unacceptable reality" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "outrageous situation" and "difficult situation"?

A "difficult situation" implies a challenging or problematic scenario, while "outrageous situation" suggests a scenario that is not only problematic but also deeply shocking, offensive, and unacceptable.