pessimistic times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pessimistic times" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe periods characterized by negative outlooks or feelings of hopelessness. Example: "During these pessimistic times, it's important to focus on the positive aspects of life and find ways to cope with challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But in harder, more pessimistic times, investment falls even when rates are low.

The New York Times

Mr Lajcak says mildly that "we need to reverse current political trends in the country".Osman Topcagic, Bosnia's top official dealing with the EU, argues that, in pessimistic times, everyone should cheer up by looking at the good news.

The Economist

A band rich with optimism but born amid pessimistic times, U2 this time around offered less a global history lesson than a personal history lesson, with Bono and band returning to their roots, thematically going back to violent Dublin in the '60s and '70s.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There are plenty of reasons to be an optimist in a pessimistic time.

TechCrunch

This procedure works in the pessimistic time O(n2), where n is a number of elements in V ̄ (when all solutions are comparable, i.e., to form a chain it may take niterations to find a Pareto point).

Journal of Cheminformatics

Orwell of course could be discouragingly pessimistic at times.

The Guardian - Books

Add to this misery the experience of pervasive pestilence, decades of oppressive taxation, corruption and infighting at the top end of society and rebellions at the bottom, and it becomes evident why the later 14th century was one of the most pessimistic of times.

The Guardian - Books

Sometimes pessimistic, other times optimistic.

Huffington Post

As a result, the general complexity of WMD and TAV models is similar but the pessimistic execution time of the WMD model is severely lower than the pessimistic execution time of the TAV-based algorithm.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

It may sound pessimistic, but time and again information circulated in the form of official government statements has proved to be blatant lies to the media and Nigerians on matters of national security, or the rescue of the 219 schoolgirls still missing from the town of Chibok in Borno.

The Guardian - Opinion

For example, if you tend to be pessimistic, when time pressures at work increase, your sense of distress is also likely to increase sharply with thoughts that you can't manage the situation.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pessimistic times", provide specific context to clarify the source and nature of the pessimism. For example, describe whether the pessimism stems from economic factors, political instability, or social issues.

Common error

Avoid using "pessimistic times" without providing concrete examples or evidence to support the claim. Instead of simply stating that times are pessimistic, illustrate the specific events or trends that contribute to this negative outlook.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pessimistic times" functions as a descriptive term, characterizing a specific period. It combines the adjective "pessimistic", which denotes a negative outlook, with the noun "times", indicating a duration or period. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pessimistic times" is a phrase used to describe periods characterized by negativity and a lack of hope. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not a highly frequent expression, it is appropriately used in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and encyclopedias, to convey a sense of gloom or hardship. When employing this phrase, be sure to provide context and specific examples to support your claim and avoid vague language. Consider alternatives like "bleak periods" or "hard times" to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bleak periods

Emphasizes the lack of hope and positivity during those times.

gloomy days

Focuses on the somber and depressing atmosphere of the era.

hard times

Highlights the difficulties and struggles experienced.

difficult eras

Underlines the challenging nature of the historical periods.

troubled days

Stresses the presence of problems and unrest.

unfavorable climate

Highlights the unsupportive and disadvantageous conditions.

adverse circumstances

Focuses on the negative and opposing factors at play.

depressing climate

Emphasizes the disheartening conditions of the time.

challenging moments

Highlights significant periods of difficulty.

dark chapters

Focuses on moments characterized by tragedy or despair.

FAQs

What does "pessimistic times" mean?

The phrase "pessimistic times" refers to periods marked by a prevailing negative outlook, a lack of hope, and a general expectation that things will worsen. It suggests a widespread feeling of discouragement and a belief that positive outcomes are unlikely.

How can I use "pessimistic times" in a sentence?

You can use "pessimistic times" to describe historical periods, current events, or personal experiences characterized by negativity. For example: "During these "difficult eras", maintaining a sense of hope can be challenging."

What are some alternatives to "pessimistic times"?

Alternatives include "bleak periods", "gloomy days", or "hard times". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pessimistic times" formal or informal?

"Pessimistic times" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.