predicament

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "predicament" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a difficult or challenging situation that someone is in. Example: "John found himself in a serious predicament when his car broke down in the middle of nowhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Relegation, you're having a laugh" was Tim Sherwood's response to Aston Villa's predicament last weekend and it was easy to see why the manager feels that way after an afternoon when his team's performance did a much better job of warming the home supporters' hearts than the bitterly cold weather.

The Guardian - Sport

You are willing to break every democratic institution to try and fix the legal predicament you find yourself in," he said.

The Guardian

But even before he could feel the tarmac beneath his feet and settle into the sleek grey Jaguar idling on the apron, the reality of his predicament became clear.

The Guardian - Business

The scale of the alleged corruption, revealed by parliamentary inquiries, court cases, secret police files and whistleblowers, is such as to make David Cameron's alleged suppers-for-sale predicament look trivial.

The Guardian

Craig Minassian, a spokesman for the Clinton Foundation, said in an email that the organisation decided to help after reading about the Haiti team's predicament.

The Guardian - Sport

With the fixture list ahead of them looming large, the current predicament should have been foreseen.

The Guardian - Sport

In a sense, I am responsible for my own predicament.

The Guardian

And unlike the healthcare predicament, this crisis comes with a time limit.

The Guardian - Opinion

And yet what starts out as a middle-aged fantasy eventually blossoms into something more, the means by which its hero comes to terms with his predicament.

The Guardian - Film

Volz described the couple's predicament as "institutional kidnapping" and accused powers inside Qatar of influencing and obstructing the judicial process.

The Guardian

Catlin's video of the caddies' predicament went viral on Twitter – in the golf world, at least.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "predicament" when you want to emphasize the challenging and often inescapable nature of a situation. It's best suited for contexts where someone is trapped or facing significant hardship.

Common error

Avoid using "predicament" to describe minor inconveniences or everyday challenges. It's a strong word best reserved for genuinely difficult and impactful situations. Using it too loosely can diminish its effect and sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "predicament" is as a noun. It refers to a difficult, trying, or unfortunate situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. The examples illustrate its use in various contexts to describe challenging circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "predicament" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's best used to describe difficult or challenging situations, often with a sense of being trapped or facing significant hardship. While versatile, it's important to reserve it for truly serious circumstances to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives like ""difficult situation"" or ""dilemma"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ludwig's examples further showcase its wide applicability in various contexts, particularly in news and formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult situation

This alternative is more general and less intense, simply indicating a situation that presents challenges.

quandary

This alternative suggests a state of uncertainty or doubt, specifically when facing a decision.

plight

This alternative highlights a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation.

dilemma

This alternative suggests a situation where a difficult choice must be made between equally undesirable options.

difficulties

This alternative is a general term for problems or hardships, lacking the specific sense of being trapped or facing a crisis.

troubles

Similar to 'difficulties', this is a broad term, often implying a less severe or immediate challenge.

tight spot

This is an informal alternative suggesting a difficult situation, but it can sometimes imply a less severe or prolonged one.

crisis

This alternative suggests a time of intense difficulty or danger.

awkward position

This alternative emphasizes the uncomfortable or embarrassing aspect of a situation.

catch-22

This alternative represents a paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules.

FAQs

How to use "predicament" in a sentence?

"Predicament" is used to describe a difficult, unpleasant, or dangerous situation. For example, "The company found itself in a financial predicament after the economic downturn."

What can I say instead of "predicament"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult situation", "quandary", or "plight" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "predicament" or "predicaments"?

"Predicament" refers to a single difficult situation, while "predicaments" refers to multiple difficult situations. Choose the form that matches the number of situations you're describing.

What's the difference between "predicament" and "dilemma"?

A "predicament" is a difficult or trying situation, while a "dilemma" specifically involves a difficult choice between two or more options. A predicament might not involve a choice, but a dilemma always does.