perilous situation

USAGE SUMMARY

"perilous situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to denote a dangerous situation, usually one that involves potential physical harm or danger of loss. Example sentence: The climbers found themselves in a perilous situation when the weather suddenly changed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a perilous situation.

The New York Times - Sports

It's an incredibly perilous situation".

The Guardian

Meanwhile, a perilous situation was developing underground.

The New York Times

Beyond thinking about her perilous situation, she worries about them.

The New York Times

"That's a very perilous situation to be in".

The New York Times

Glavine said the Braves avoided a perilous situation.

The New York Times - Sports

In order to tackle the perilous situation, alternative fuel has to be generated.

Waste Management

But at AT&T Park, Bonds's perilous situation hardly seemed to hang over the festivities.

The New York Times

In terms of external security, Japan faces the most perilous situation in years.

The Economist

The infighting has been made more severe by the increasingly perilous situation on the ground.

The New York Times

Immediately after learning of her perilous situation, I frantically called everyone I knew to find help.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perilous situation" when you want to emphasize the presence of immediate danger or risk, especially in situations where harm or loss is a real possibility.

Common error

Avoid using "perilous situation" to describe scenarios that are merely inconvenient or uncomfortable. Reserve it for genuinely dangerous or threatening circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perilous situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "perilous" modifies the noun "situation". It is used to describe a state or condition characterized by danger, risk, or potential harm. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

14%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perilous situation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a dangerous or risky scenario. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It is versatile enough for formal and informal communication, though particularly common in news media. When using this phrase, ensure the context genuinely warrants the sense of significant danger. For alternative phrasing, consider phrases like "dangerous predicament" or "risky state of affairs" to convey similar meanings with subtle differences in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hazardous circumstance

Replaces 'situation' with 'circumstance', implying a set of conditions that present danger.

dangerous predicament

Substitutes 'perilous' with 'dangerous' and 'situation' with 'predicament', suggesting a difficult or unpleasant situation.

risky state of affairs

Uses 'risky' instead of 'perilous' and 'state of affairs' to denote a condition that could lead to negative outcomes.

precarious position

Replaces 'perilous' with 'precarious', highlighting the instability and uncertainty of the situation.

dire straits

Implies a very severe and urgent situation, emphasizing distress and difficulty.

threatened condition

Focuses on the aspect of being under threat or at risk.

critical juncture

Emphasizes the decisiveness of the moment and the high stakes involved, differing slightly from the general danger implied by "perilous situation".

vulnerable circumstance

Highlights the lack of protection and susceptibility to harm.

unstable environment

Draws attention to the lack of stability and potential for sudden negative changes.

awkward position

Downgrades the severity to a difficult or embarrassing situation, lacking physical danger.

FAQs

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

You can use "perilous situation" to describe any scenario characterized by immediate danger or risk. For example, "The hikers found themselves in a "perilous situation" when a blizzard struck unexpectedly."

What are some alternatives to "perilous situation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "dangerous predicament", "risky state of affairs", or "precarious position".

Is "perilous situation" formal or informal?

"Perilous situation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news reports, academic papers, and general conversation.

How does "perilous situation" differ from "difficult situation"?

"Perilous situation" specifically implies danger or risk, while "difficult situation" simply indicates a problem or challenge without necessarily involving immediate harm.