precarious time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precarious time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period characterized by uncertainty, instability, or risk. Example: "We are living in a precarious time where economic conditions are constantly changing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is a precarious time for big lenders.

The New York Times

Monday's submission comes at a precarious time for digital money.

The New York Times

"This is a precarious time for his siblings.

The New York Times

The protests came at a precarious time for the movement.

The New York Times

It is a precarious time for Texas school districts.

The New York Times

The proposed stadium expansion comes at a precarious time.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a precarious time for Yahoo and Microsoft.

The New York Times

Mr. Romney picked a precarious time to visit London's financial community.

The New York Times

But the move also comes at a precarious time for Mr. Shahrani.

The New York Times

The case comes at a precarious time for FrontPoint and Morgan Stanley.

The New York Times

How can all these explosives pass?" The attack came at a precarious time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs alongside "precarious time" to amplify its effect; for example, "navigate a precarious time" or "confront a precarious time".

Common error

Avoid using "precarious time" for situations that are merely inconvenient or mildly challenging. Reserve it for circumstances involving genuine risk or instability to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precarious time" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or a complement to a verb. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates a period or moment characterized by instability and potential danger.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "precarious time" is a noun phrase widely used to describe periods of uncertainty, instability, and potential danger. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. While versatile, it is most effective when used to highlight situations involving genuine risk and potential negative outcomes. Alternative phrases like "perilous time" or "unstable time" can provide slightly different nuances depending on the specific context. When writing, always ensure that the context clearly defines what is at risk and why the situation is unstable to maximize the phrase's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

parlous time

A more formal and less common synonym emphasizing the dangerous or risky nature of the time.

perilous time

Highlights the element of danger and risk involved.

risky time

Directly emphasizes the presence of potential negative outcomes.

unstable time

Focuses on the lack of stability and predictability.

uncertain time

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and predictability about the future.

dangerous time

Highlights the presence of potential harm or threats.

critical juncture

Highlights a moment of high importance and potential turning point.

delicate moment

Emphasizes the need for careful handling and sensitivity.

challenging period

Focuses on the difficulties and obstacles present.

difficult situation

Describes the overall hardship and complexity of the circumstances.

FAQs

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

Use "precarious time" to describe a period marked by instability, danger, or uncertainty. For example: "The company launched the new product at a "precarious time", just as the economy began to slow."

What can I say instead of "precarious time"?

Alternatives include "perilous time", "risky time", or "unstable time", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "precarious time" formal or informal?

"Precarious time" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's most common in news and media, and formal writing.

What makes a time "precarious"?

A ""precarious time"" is characterized by instability, uncertainty, and potential danger, where the outcomes are difficult to predict and negative consequences are possible.