strained situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strained situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or tense circumstance that requires careful handling or resolution. Example: "The negotiations reached a strained situation, with both parties unwilling to compromise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The two of them are soon settled in a dreary hotel room, trying to make the best of a strained situation.

The New York Times

An Israeli-Palestinian summit meeting sponsored by the United States in July 2000 failed to resolve these outstanding issues and led only to an increasingly strained situation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A drop in projected endowment income, necessary increases in financial aid, and increases in programs planned under more optimistic assumptions combined to put the university in a financially strained situation.

Stanford University

He's obviously happy that his very strained situation of being in this kind of no-person's land in the airport has been resolved.

Huffington Post

Ackles confirmed that the story "is going to push the brothers into a bit of a more strained situation than there already is, and that will definitely come to a head a bit in this episode".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"More and more people are working in strained situations, and calling us in to make the strain less," Ms. Schiffer said.

The New York Times

But after Mr. Genoways was denied a position in the department, his relationship with the faculty became strained, a situation that some faculty members saw as a missed opportunity.

The New York Times - Books

The increasing interdependence of their economies over the ensuing years mismatched the strained political situation.

The Washington Post

While declining to discuss the specifics of Keyshawn Johnson's strained contract situation with the Jets, Jerome Stanley, the receiver's agent, said yesterday that "a winning organization's priority is to keep their own talent".

The New York Times - Sports

Their marriage was emotionally strained, a situation exacerbated by their financial insecurity.

Wikipedia

Yet its government, not yet confirmed by the House of Representatives, continues to operate under an assumed mandate, adding a third government to the mix and a new layer of bureaucracy and expenses to the seriously strained financial situation in Libya.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "strained situation", provide specific details about the cause and impact of the strain to give the reader a clearer understanding of the context.

Common error

While "strained situation" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "tense situation" or "difficult circumstance" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strained situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "strained" modifies the noun "situation". It describes a condition or set of circumstances characterized by tension, difficulty, or unease. As Ludwig AI states, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strained situation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for describing tense or difficult circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is indeed accurate and usable in written English. While versatile, it's important to provide context when using this phrase to enhance clarity and impact. Consider varying your vocabulary with alternatives like "tense situation" or "difficult circumstance" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources, lending it a generally neutral tone suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tense situation

Replaces "strained" with a synonym emphasizing emotional tension.

difficult circumstance

Uses a more general term for "situation" and replaces "strained" with "difficult", focusing on the challenging nature.

awkward predicament

Emphasizes the uncomfortable and embarrassing aspect of the situation.

precarious position

Highlights the instability and potential danger of the situation.

delicate matter

Suggests a situation requiring careful handling to avoid causing offense or problems.

challenging scenario

Focuses on the demanding and testing nature of the situation.

uncomfortable setting

Highlights the unease and lack of comfort in the situation.

stressful environment

Emphasizes the pressure and anxiety associated with the situation.

volatile climate

Indicates a situation prone to sudden and unpredictable changes.

sensitive issue

Highlights the need for careful consideration and discretion due to potential consequences.

FAQs

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

You can use "strained situation" to describe any circumstance characterized by tension or difficulty. For example: "The negotiations reached a strained situation" or "Their relationship created a strained situation at work".

What can I say instead of "strained situation"?

You can use alternatives like "tense situation", "difficult circumstance", or "awkward predicament" depending on the specific context.

Is "strained situation" a formal or informal phrase?

"Strained situation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, consider alternatives like "precarious position" or "delicate matter" for a more sophisticated tone.

How does a "strained situation" differ from a "stressful situation"?

While both phrases describe negative circumstances, a "strained situation" implies tension or difficulty in relationships or processes, whereas a "stressful situation" primarily emphasizes emotional or mental pressure.