this tense time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this tense time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period characterized by stress, anxiety, or uncertainty, often in a specific context such as personal situations, societal issues, or global events. Example: "During this tense time, we must remain united and support one another to overcome the challenges we face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But during this tense time, Notre Dame's independent football fate has turned into a billion-dollar question.

The New York Times - Sports

* The police are, you'll be pleased to know, taking even the slightest threat of terrorist activity seriously at this tense time.

Independent

Sometimes I wonder if anything we think about each other in this tense time will even make sense to us a year from now.

The New York Times - Magazine

How can anyone blame a single mother for wanting to be home with her children, ages 10 and 7, at this tense time?

The New York Times - Arts

He has a history of standing firm on issues he believes in, in foreign affairs at least: witness his chivvying of the rest of the world to take action against the Serbs in Kosovo.Second, Mr Blair believes that a widening split between America and Europe, at this tense time, would have disastrous consequences for world stability.

The Economist

Folding hands might be a subconscious way of trying to protect and sooth oneself during this tense time of lying.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But I told myself this was expected, especially during these tense times, and tried not to take it personally.

Vice

This was a tense time in baseball.

The New York Times - Sports

Niki Lauda, the marque's nonexecutive chairman, was asked whether this was a tense time for Mercedes and said: "There might be some more discussions later today or tomorrow morning.

The Guardian - Sport

So it seems good for ZoZa to have something to say beyond 'We're nice and fashionable.' " This is a tense time for the Zieglers, with Patricia getting out the clothes and Mel working on the next round of financing.

The New York Times

This is a tense time; she is disappointed by her father's behaviour (moving on fast with another woman; selling the family home) while still grief-stricken: "A sight, sound or smell is enough to make it wash over you, as hollow as the first moment you ever felt it".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this tense time" when you want to emphasize a specific period characterized by uncertainty, stress, or high stakes, making sure the context is clear to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "this tense time" too frequently in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using alternatives like "this stressful period" or "this critical juncture" to keep your writing engaging and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this tense time" functions as a noun phrase, where "tense" is an adjective modifying the noun "time". Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It typically specifies a particular period characterized by heightened stress or anxiety.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this tense time" is a grammatically sound and contextually useful phrase for describing a specific period marked by stress or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of writing contexts, particularly news and media, but may benefit from occasional variation with synonyms like "this stressful period" or "this critical juncture" to avoid repetition. Remember to use "this tense time" when referring to a clearly defined, singular period, and to be mindful of the emotional impact the phrase conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this stressful period

Replaces 'tense' with 'stressful', focusing on the pressure and strain of the time.

this anxious moment

Substitutes 'tense time' with 'anxious moment', highlighting the feeling of unease.

this uneasy period

Replaces 'tense' with 'uneasy', suggesting a lack of comfort and security.

this critical juncture

Replaces the emotional aspect with the importance and decisiveness of the moment.

this worrying phase

Emphasizes the concern and apprehension associated with the time.

this fraught era

Uses 'fraught' and 'era' to emphasize the difficulty and extended duration of the time.

this trying moment

Uses 'trying' to indicate that the time is testing one's patience and resilience.

these turbulent times

Generalizes to 'times' and uses 'turbulent' to convey instability and chaos.

this pressured situation

Focuses on the external forces creating the tension.

this difficult stage

Highlights the challenging nature of the period.

FAQs

How can I use "this tense time" in a sentence?

You can use "this tense time" to describe a period marked by stress, anxiety, or uncertainty, for example, "During "this tense time", it is important to remain calm and focused."

What are some alternatives to saying "this tense time"?

Alternatives include "this stressful period", "this anxious moment", or "this critical juncture", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "this tense time" formal or informal?

"This tense time" is generally suitable for neutral contexts, such as news reporting or general discussions. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "this critical juncture".

What makes "this tense time" different from "these tense times"?

"This tense time" refers to a specific, singular period, whereas "these tense times" refers to a more general or recurring state of affairs. For example, "This tense time" might refer to a specific election period, while "these tense times" might describe the current era of political division.