practical dilemma

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practical dilemma" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to the difficult choice between two or more options, often related to practical matters. For example, "I am facing a practical dilemma when it comes to choosing a career: should I go into finance or pursue a degree in engineering?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

That is the moral and practical dilemma NATO governments face.

The New Yorker

They found themselves confronted with a practical dilemma that Congress had never envisaged and thus never addressed when it wrote the Civil Rights Act.

SEP

To reiterate, "Moral philosophy as [Green] conceives it can take one only so far: it cannot resolve every moral issue and practical dilemma" (Nicholson, 1990, p.79).

SEP

This leads to the practical dilemma of whether to acquire a small number of tilt series (typically ranging from 2 to 4) with the iterative approach, or to acquire a large number of tilt series and restrict the reconstruction process to filtered back-projections.

Advanced Structural and Chemical Imaging

Yes, then, I am making the claim that most religious people [not just Christians] who claim another practical dilemma is the insistence that sin is somehow tied to some form of ominous fate [some might also use the word 'God's Will'].

Huffington Post

These results highlight a practical dilemma and require careful interpretation.

Brain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Such situations pose huge moral and practical dilemmas.

The New York Times

It presents a rich, nuanced argument that is both intellectually rigorous and attuned to practical dilemmas.

The New York Times - Books

Corrections-industry journals, meanwhile, have been particularly blunt when it comes to laying out the practical dilemmas of treating children as adults.

The New York Times - Magazine

Asghar Farhadi's thoughtful drama about the plight of a middle-class family besieged by moral and practical dilemmas, won the prize for best film, and its cast collectively won the trophies for best actor and actress.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is a circuitous way of saying that people who come from film school may not really have lived through the tough times and ruffled the tough characters of Lewis's rough-and-tumble era — but everyone, everywhere, faces conflicts and experiences pressures, power struggles, thwarted ambitions, and practical dilemmas every day.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "practical dilemma", ensure the context clearly outlines the specific conflicting options and the real-world consequences of each choice.

Common error

Avoid using "practical dilemma" when discussing purely theoretical or abstract issues. This phrase is most effective when the situation involves tangible decisions and their direct impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practical dilemma" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific type of problem or situation. It describes a difficult situation or problem where a choice must be made between undesirable or complicated options that involve real-world implications. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "practical dilemma" is a grammatically sound and contextually rich phrase used to describe a difficult decision-making scenario with real-world implications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal and neutral registers, frequently appearing in scientific, news and media, and encyclopedia contexts. Alternative phrases such as "real dilemma" or "practical problem" offer similar meanings but may emphasize different aspects of the situation. When employing the term, ensure the context underscores the conflicting options and tangible consequences to maximize clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

real dilemma

Highlights the genuine and tangible aspects of the dilemma, contrasting with theoretical concerns.

actual dilemma

Similar to "real dilemma", stressing the present and existing nature of the difficult situation.

practical problem

Focuses on the problematic nature of the situation rather than the choice between options.

practical predicament

Highlights the unfortunate or difficult circumstances surrounding the situation.

practical conflict

Replaces 'dilemma' with 'conflict', highlighting the clashing elements involved.

realistic dilemma

Stresses that the dilemma is grounded in reality and reflects genuine constraints or possibilities.

practical conundrum

Conveys a more perplexing and puzzling aspect of the dilemma, emphasizing the difficulty of finding a solution.

substantial dilemma

Emphasizes the significant or considerable impact of the dilemma and the choices it presents.

specific dilemma

Emphasizes the detailed or particular nature of the dilemma, adding a sense of precision.

practical choice

Shifts focus to the decision needed, reducing the sense of difficulty or negativity.

FAQs

What does "practical dilemma" mean?

A "practical dilemma" refers to a situation where a difficult choice has to be made between two or more options, all of which have significant real-world implications and present challenges.

How can I use "practical dilemma" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company faces a "practical dilemma": invest in new technology or cut costs to stay competitive."

What are some alternatives to "practical dilemma"?

You can use alternatives like "real dilemma", "practical problem", or "difficult choice" depending on the context.

Is "ethical dilemma" the same as "practical dilemma"?

No, an "ethical dilemma" involves conflicting moral principles, while a "practical dilemma" involves difficult choices based on real-world constraints and outcomes. Ethical dilemmas focus on right and wrong, whereas practical dilemmas focus on feasibility and consequences.