precarious circumstance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precarious circumstance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is unstable, uncertain, or risky. Example: "The company found itself in a precarious circumstance after the sudden loss of its major client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When rights are trampled and due process is subverted in cases involving CPS it can so often lead to crucial information being missed and a child being put into a precarious circumstance.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

(Another 14,000 live in more precarious circumstances in Venezuela).

The New York Times - Arts

In the other version of Mary's story, she's an unprotected worker in precarious circumstances.

The New Yorker

"We meet people who are in difficulty, who are poor or in precarious circumstances, and then we never see them again.

The New York Times

A proposed amendment to next year's budget would provide for pregnant women in economically precarious circumstances to receive between €250 ($300) and €350 a month for up to six months before the birth.

The Economist

Just as Deng Xiaoping seized on those precarious circumstances in the late 1970s to enact a fact-based, nonideological platform of "reforms and opening up," Mr. Xi must do the same to avoid faltering growth and avert social instability.

The New York Times

Americans, especially those in precarious circumstances, want to see the moral fabric restored, and the essence of this — that effort should be linked to reward and redistribution — seems to muddy that moral fabric, even in harsh times like these.

The New York Times

Perhaps you can imagine the fragrance, but even if you can, you won't be able savour it with the manifold associations that Benjamin experienced when he memorialised the scene 32 years later while living in precarious circumstances and fearing worse.

The Guardian - Books

"Embrace insecurity," after all, sounds like exactly the sort of message that the chancellor of the exchequer might find cynically helpful to inculcate in a society facing ever more precarious circumstances.

The Guardian - Books

What emerges is a collective sense of tension between the safety and belonging felt by those who have grown up and lived their lives on the three estates and their often precarious circumstances as a result of living there.

The Guardian

During the late 1930s and early '40s, European Jewish refugees, among them the Frank family, who lived in terribly precarious circumstances, found that there were "paper walls" around America's shores.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "precarious circumstance", ensure the context clearly establishes the nature and source of the instability or risk. Providing specific details strengthens the impact of the phrase.

Common error

While "precarious circumstance" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your writing sound melodramatic. Opt for more precise terms that specify the type of risk or instability involved, such as "unstable market conditions" or "risky investment strategy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precarious circumstance" functions as a noun phrase, where "precarious" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "circumstance". The phrase is used to characterize a particular situation or state of affairs.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "precarious circumstance" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe unstable, risky, or uncertain situations. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, although its frequency is relatively rare. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it serves to highlight potential negative outcomes, functioning as a descriptive noun phrase. While suitable for general use, formal writing might benefit from more specific alternatives to enhance clarity. It's important to emphasize the nature of the instability when employing the phrase, and to avoid overuse for a more impactful and precise writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

risky situation

Replaces "circumstance" with "situation", emphasizing the potential for negative outcomes.

unstable condition

Shifts from "circumstance" to "condition", highlighting a lack of stability.

hazardous situation

Substitutes "precarious" with "hazardous", focusing on the element of danger.

perilous situation

Replaces "precarious" with "perilous", adding a sense of grave risk or danger.

vulnerable position

Changes both words to emphasize susceptibility to harm or negative consequences.

uncertain situation

Emphasizes the lack of predictability and stability in the situation.

delicate situation

Highlights the need for careful handling due to potential instability.

tenuous situation

Indicates a situation that is fragile and easily disrupted.

fragile state

Shifts the focus to the overall state or condition, emphasizing its vulnerability.

sensitive situation

Suggests a situation requiring careful navigation to avoid negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "precarious circumstance" in a sentence?

You can use "precarious circumstance" to describe situations that are unstable, uncertain, or risky. For example, "The refugees found themselves in a "precarious circumstances" after losing their homes".

What can I say instead of "precarious circumstance"?

You can use alternatives like "risky situation", "unstable condition", or "hazardous situation" depending on the specific context.

Is "precarious circumstance" formal or informal?

"Precarious circumstance" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but in highly formal settings, consider more precise alternatives to convey specific nuances.

What is the difference between "precarious circumstance" and "dire circumstance"?

"Precarious circumstance" suggests instability and risk, while "dire circumstance" implies a situation of extreme seriousness or urgency. "Dire" suggests a more critical and potentially irreversible situation.