precarious situation

USAGE SUMMARY

"precarious situation" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation which is uncertain, risky, and possibly unstable. For example, "The citizens face a precarious situation due to the recent economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's still a very precarious situation.

The New York Times

"WE FIND OURSELVESin a precarious situation".

The New York Times - Magazine

Hospitals are in a precarious situation.

The Guardian - Books

"It's a precarious situation," Tortorella said.

The New York Times - Sports

It said it remained "deeply concerned" about Belounis's "precarious situation".

The Guardian - Sport

The Ohio governor's strategy speaks to his precarious situation.

The Guardian

But the bonds could leave investors exposed, especially given the precarious situation in Europe.

The New York Times

That has drawn these Web giants into the fray and created a precarious situation for them.

The New York Times - Tech

"Right now we are in a very precarious situation as far as the budget is concerned.

The New York Times

In Finland, migrant Ukrainians have found themselves in a similarly precarious situation in recent years.

The New York Times

The infighting of cartolas has left the Seleção in a very precarious situation".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "precarious situation", be specific about the factors contributing to the instability or risk. Provide context and details to illustrate the potential consequences.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "precarious situation" without elaborating on the specifics. Instead of saying "The company is in a precarious situation", specify what makes it precarious: "The company is in a precarious situation due to declining sales and increasing debt."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precarious situation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "precarious" modifies the noun "situation". Ludwig's examples show it describing various scenarios from financial instability to political unrest.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "precarious situation" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a scenario fraught with instability and risk. As Ludwig highlights, it appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. To enhance clarity, be specific about the causes and potential consequences when using this phrase. While widely accepted, avoid overuse of vague language. Consider using alternatives like "risky circumstances" or "unstable environment" for variety. As confirmed by Ludwig, "precarious situation" remains a valuable tool for conveying uncertainty and potential danger.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

risky circumstances

Emphasizes the presence of potential danger or negative outcomes.

unstable environment

Focuses on the lack of steadiness and predictability in the surroundings.

fragile state

Highlights the delicacy and vulnerability of the current condition.

tenuous position

Suggests a weak or insecure standing, easily threatened.

difficult straits

Indicates a challenging or adverse set of circumstances.

uncertain footing

Implies a lack of stability and potential for collapse.

vulnerable spot

Focuses on the aspect of being open to attack or harm.

sensitive juncture

Highlights a critical point requiring careful handling.

delicate balance

Suggests a need for careful management to avoid disruption.

hazardous predicament

Emphasizes the element of danger and difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "precarious situation" to describe scenarios involving instability or danger, such as "The political climate is in a "precarious situation" due to ongoing protests" or "The company's finances are in a "precarious situation" after the recent scandal".

What are some alternatives to saying "precarious situation"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "risky circumstances", "unstable environment", or "fragile state".

Is "precarious situation" a formal or informal expression?

"Precarious situation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation being described.

What distinguishes a "precarious situation" from a "difficult situation"?

While a "difficult situation" implies challenges or hardship, a "precarious situation" suggests a higher degree of instability and risk of negative outcomes. The "precarious situation" carries a sense of potential collapse or danger that the "difficult situation" might lack.