the predicament in which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the predicament in which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or challenging situation that someone is facing. Example: "She found herself in the predicament in which she had to choose between her career and her family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

That is the predicament in which we find ourselves".

The Guardian

But that is the predicament in which Intel now finds itself.

The Economist

This is the predicament in which Spethmann frequently finds himself as events conspire against him.

The Guardian - Books

Mr Carle repeats himself unduly as he agonises over the predicament in which he and Captus find themselves.

The Economist

I have some sympathy for Bullard's argument, but also for the predicament in which Bernanke finds himself.

The New Yorker

As much as he is infuriated by the predicament in which it has landed him, he enjoys the originality.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Paver handles with great aplomb a large cast of horrible humans, angry ghosts, petrified corpses, divine presences and – much the most alluring – a pod of dolphins, but before long one suspects that the predicaments in which Hylas and Pirra find themselves have all been calculated like a dot-to-dot drawing.

The Guardian - Books

In a reversal of political stereotypes, the Republican Ryan, who left office in 2003, was sensitive in the way his successor, the Democrat Blagojevich, hasn't been to the predicaments in which the exonerated typically find themselves upon leaving prison: impoverished and, still officially classified as ex-cons, veritably blacklisted from employment opportunity.

Huffington Post

No wonder, then, that the personal predicament in which Marcia Clark, the chief prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson case finds herself has provoked strong and complicated feelings--anxiety, anger, Indignation, empathy--in a great many professional women with young children.

The New Yorker

After convening a few summits on the predicament in Atlantic City, which resulted in a dire report, Governor Christie, in January, appointed two emergency managers, Kevin Lavin and Kevyn Orr, to oversee the city's finances, wresting control from the mayor and the city council.

The New Yorker

The chairman of the university's board of trustees said he & his colleagues had a "fiduciary duty" to entertain such an offer in view of the financial predicament in which the school found itself after a severe decline in enrollment & a long faculty strike.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the predicament in which" to clearly and concisely describe a specific challenging or difficult situation someone or something is facing. It helps to set the stage for understanding the complexities involved.

Common error

Avoid using "the predicament in which" for everyday inconveniences. This phrase carries a weight of seriousness; reserve it for genuinely challenging or complex scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the predicament in which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a clause that describes a challenging or difficult situation. As seen in the Ludwig examples, this construction is commonly used to set the scene or provide context by elaborating on the state of affairs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the predicament in which" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce and emphasize a challenging or difficult situation. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its frequency is considered common, appearing primarily in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. The phrase serves to frame narratives and arguments, highlighting the complexities faced by individuals or entities. When using this phrase, remember to reserve it for situations that warrant a sense of gravity and complexity, avoiding overuse in simple or everyday scenarios. Consider alternatives such as "the situation where" or "the circumstances under which" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the dilemma where

Specifically emphasizes the element of choice and conflict.

the difficult position of

Replaces "predicament" with a more straightforward term.

the situation where

Focuses on the factual state of affairs rather than the difficulty.

the challenging situation of

Uses a more descriptive term than "predicament".

the circumstances under which

Highlights the surrounding conditions more than the challenging aspect.

the straits in which

Emphasizes the distress and narrowness of the situation.

the bind that

Uses a more informal term, "bind", to describe a difficult situation.

the crisis in which

Emphasizes the severity and urgency of the situation.

the unfortunate case where

Highlights the negative aspect of the scenario.

the tough spot that

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "the predicament in which" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to introduce a challenging or difficult situation. For example, "He found himself in the predicament in which he had to choose between his job and his family."

What are some alternatives to "the predicament in which"?

You can use alternatives such as "the situation where", "the circumstances under which", or "the dilemma where" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "the predicament in which" and "the situation in which"?

While both describe a set of circumstances, "the predicament in which" implies a more challenging or difficult scenario than "the situation in which". The latter is more neutral.

When is it appropriate to use "the predicament in which"?

It is appropriate when describing a specific, challenging, or complex situation that someone or something is facing. It adds a layer of gravity and importance to the situation being described.